Commission on TRC cases postponed due to objections to evidence leader

THE Judicial Commission of Inquiry into apartheid-era crimes got off to a rocky start yesterday after lawyers for the Department of Justice and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) raised concerns about evidence leader Advocate Ishmael Semenya.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

In their application for Advocate Semenya's recusal, the parties cited Semenya's previous involvement in prosecutorial matters involving the NPA, with the lawyers of the concerned parties indicating this would cloud his judgement.

As a result, the chairperson of the Commission, retired judge Sisi Khampepe, was forced to postpone the commission's hearings to November 26.

"It may well be that we are going to move on to an application for recusal. We are not blowing hot and cold. We are clear that our objection indicates that the submissions have taken the objection further," advocate Kgomotso Moroka said.

Advocate Makhosi Gwala for the NPA said it has taken issue with Semenya, who was a central figure in the NPA policy, as one of its advisors.