Simelane unsurprised by state agencies' failure to engage with TRC Inquiry

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane said that its not surprising that none of the state agencies have filed documents to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Cases inquiry.

Her remarks come after neither the SAPS or the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) showed interest in participating in the commission established to probe allegations of political interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era cases.

The commission is now considering using its powers to subpoena records and to compel these agencies to give evidence.

Simelane was giving evidence on the second day of the hearings that took nine months to get underway after prolonged delays.

She and 25 other families are looking to the commission to uncover the state’s failure to move forward with this cases more than 40 years later .

"You would expect that at least the government, given that they are given notice of the establishment of a commission state-run, would do more to assist, even if by way of explanation as opposed to just… that's correct, chair. But I must also put it on record, chair, the response is what I expected. Because this is the response that I was getting, so I wasn't expecting any different."