TRC cases inquiry forges ahead amid recusal challenges

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Cases Inquiry has confirmed it will proceed with scheduled hearings despite legal manoeuvres from former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki. 

The duo intends to challenge the commission’s recent ruling regarding the recusal of its chairperson.

The commission, tasked with investigating allegations of political interference that delayed the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, is currently months behind schedule. This backlog is largely attributed to two separate recusal applications that stalled proceedings.

Last month, Zuma and Mbeki filed an application demanding that the Commission’s Chair, Justice Sisi Khampepe, recuse herself. The former heads of state accused Khampepe of bias, arguing her presence compromised the inquiry's integrity.

Justice Khampepe dismissed the application, citing an "unreasonable delay" in the filing of the request. Despite the looming legal challenges from the former presidents' legal teams, the commission remains steadfast in its timeline.

Commission spokesperson Lionel Adendorf confirmed that public hearings are set to commence next week.

"Our commissioners are adamant that we will continue with our hearings until we get an order of the court that instructs us to do otherwise," Adendorf stated.