Questions over Commission of Inquiry into apartheid-era crimes

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has established a commission of inquiry into the delay in the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, but the nephew of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol, believes this might not serve the purpose of bringing justice to the families of the victims.

- MANYANE MANYANE

Imtiaz Cajee, whose uncle was murdered while in police detention in October 1971, said he has serious reservations about the commission, adding that it will only make recommendations that must be handed to another law enforcement agency.

Cajee said he has always been of the view that instead of a commission of inquiry, the government should investigate the matter.

He was responding to the Presidency’s announcement yesterday that Ramaphosa had signed a proclamation for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.

The commission will be chaired by retired Constitutional Court Judge Sisi Khampepe.

She will be assisted by retired Northern Cape Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and Advocate Andrea Gabriel SC.