President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring justice for victims of apartheid-era crimes, saying their calls for accountability cannot be ignored.
In a statement on Sunday, the Presidency said government remains determined to pursue justice for families who have long sought closure over unresolved crimes committed during apartheid.
However, proceedings related to the Commission of Inquiry established to examine the matter must first be concluded in court. An application has been filed in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg seeking the recusal of retired Constitutional Court Judge Sisi Khampepe from the judicial commission.
President Ramaphosa appointed the Commission of Inquiry in May last year, with Khampepe serving as its chairperson. She is assisted by retired Northern Cape Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and advocate Andrea Gabriel.
The Commission was established following a settlement agreement in a court application brought by families of victims of apartheid-era crimes. Its mandate is to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of these crimes.
The Presidency said President Ramaphosa will act swiftly once the court has ruled on the recusal application to ensure the commission proceeds with its work.
“The President has been deeply concerned by the current review applications that could be detrimental to the interests of the victims who want closure and accountability from the government regarding their family members and that these applications have the potential to defeat the main objective for the establishment of the Commission,” the Presidency said.
The Presidency emphasised that the President’s foremost concern is safeguarding the integrity of the process, which has been long overdue.
“Thus, the President believes the court is best placed to make a determination on the matter. This does not constitute a desire to collapse the Commission and its work. President Ramaphosa affirms that the Commission will continue its work once the court delivers a decision and guides the way forward,” the statement said.
In December last year, the Presidency announced the extension of the deadline for the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of attempts to halt the investigation or prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases.
READ | Khampepe Commission’s deadline extended to July 2026
In a statement at the time, the Presidency said the President has determined 31 July 2026, as the new date for the submission of its final report. – SAnews.gov.za
