Former NPA head Vusi Pikoli says resistance stalled apartheid-era prosecutions

Former NPA  head advocate Vusi Pikoli admitted that several cases linked to apartheid-era crimes, including high-profile cases like the Cradock Four, were not meaningfully pursued due to resistance against prosecutions.

Pikoli cited his efforts to proceed with the Frank Chikane attempted poisoning case as evidence of the challenges in holding perpetrators accountable.

He told the TRC cases inquiry that one of his earliest attempts to pursue accountability after taking office in 2005 was the prosecution of former apartheid officials, including former minister of police Adriaan Vlok.

Pikoli says prosecutors opted for a plea agreement to secure a conviction amid intense opposition.

 “I would have preferred a full trial. But given all the resistance that we're going through, I still felt that if we go ahead, to be able to achieve a conviction. At least it will be on record that there are senior ranking officials, including the minister of the previous apartheid regime, who were actually convicted of apartheid atrocities.”

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