Ramaphosa seeks delay in apartheid damages case

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to pause the R167 million constitutional damages case filed by families of victims and survivors of apartheid-era atrocities.

- ZELDA VENTER

He argues that the case should be delayed until the judicial commission of inquiry concludes its work, ensuring that all relevant facts are fully established before proceeding.

Ramaphosa has earlier 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.

Advocate Tim Bruinders SC, arguing on behalf of Ramaphosa and the government, said it is vital that all the facts first be established before the constitutional damages case is served before court.

He said the commission will shed more light on why, and to what extent and by whom, efforts or attempts were made to influence or pressure the South African Police Service or the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to stop investigating or prosecuting TRC cases.