A judicial commission of inquiry into long-delayed apartheid-era cases is set to begin its public hearings on Monday. The inquiry, held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg, will investigate alleged political interference believed to have stalled the prosecution of hundreds of cases.
President Cyril Ramaphosa established the commission in May 2025. This followed a court application by families of apartheid-era victims who have waited decades for justice.
The commission is chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe. She is assisted by two other legal experts. Their goal is to find out why these cases were not investigated or prosecuted.
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Allegations of political interference at the centre of the inquiry
The commission’s mandate is to determine who influenced the police and prosecutors. It will also decide if there was improper collusion. The inquiry will cover the period from 2003 to the present.
For years, families and human rights groups have alleged political meddling. They claim this blocked justice for victims of gross human rights violations.
The establishment of this commission is seen as a crucial step towards accountability. It aims to provide closure for families who have long felt ignored by the justice system.
Key witnesses are expected to give evidence. These include former National Directors of Public Prosecutions and former TRC commissioners. The inquiry is not a repeat of the original TRC. Instead, it focuses specifically on the failure to prosecute these critical cases.
The commission has six months to complete its work. It will then submit a report with its findings and recommendations.
Image via The Witness.
