South Africa

Ramaphosa Orders Inquiry Into Apartheid-Era Prosecutions

MAY 1 2025·Updated MAY 2 2025

Story

Above: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the State of the Nation Address at Cape Town City Hall on Feb. 6, 2025. Image credit: RODGER BOSCH/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate allegations that previous African National Congress governments deliberately blocked investigations and prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes.
ABC News
BBC News
The inquiry will address claims of "improper influence in delaying or hindering" investigations into cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which was established in 1996 under Nelson Mandela and chaired by Desmond Tutu.
Gov.ZA
Independent
According to a government statement, President Ramaphosa is expected to "shortly" make a follow-up announcement naming the head of the inquiry, its timeframe, and "the full terms of reference."
Gov.ZA
The announcement follows a lawsuit filed by 25 families and survivors of apartheid-era crimes on Jan. 20, 2025, seeking 167 million rand ($9 million) compensation for "the government’s gross failure" to investigate apartheid-era political crimes.
Unfinishedtrc
Reuters
The lawsuit involves several high-profile cases, most notably that of the Cradock Four, who were abducted, tortured, and murdered by security forces in 1985. While six security officers in connection with the killings were denied amnesty by the TRC, they were never prosecuted and have since died.
Unfinishedtrc
guardian
In response, the families and survivors welcomed the inquiry but rejected the government’s plan for the commission to assess their rights and claims for "constitutional damages," arguing it lacks the legal authority to do so and warning it would "perpetuate the[ir] pain and trauma."
Unfinishedtrc
Gov.ZA

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

President Cyril Ramaphosa's inquiry into allegations that past ANC governments failed to investigate apartheid-era political crimes is a step in the right direction. This judicial commission will establish the truth and provide guidance on how best to right past wrongs. In the process, this will help heal old wounds and achieve justice for the victims and their families.

Gov.ZA

Narrative B

While the inquiry is welcome, the government's plan to let the commission decide whether the rights of victims and their families were violated and if they are liable for compensation is completely wrong. As an inquiry, the commission will have no power to act on these, only provide advice, which will leave these important issues unresolved. This will prolong the pain and trauma families and survivors have had to endure.

Unfinishedtrc