Families of TRC victims criticise Ramaphosa's support for Khampepe commission collapse

FAMILIES of victims linked to unresolved Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases have criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa for supporting legal efforts that could effectively collapse the commission chaired by retired Constitutional Court judge Sisi Khampepe.

- KARABO NGOEPE [e-mail]

The families addressed the media yesterday following calls by former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma for Khampepe to recuse herself as chair of the commission of inquiry.

Reading a statement on behalf of the families, Thembi Simelane said they were deeply concerned after learning that Ramaphosa had entered the legal dispute by filing his own affidavit and heads of argument in the review application.

“In his submissions, President Ramaphosa actively advances the demise of the very commission he himself established. He does not oppose the relief sought by former presidents Zuma and Mbeki.

More disturbingly, he claims that no due diligence was carried out regarding Khampepe’s previous roles. He admits that if he had known she served on the TRC as a commissioner and at the National Prosecuting Authority as deputy national director of public prosecutions, he would not have appointed her,’ Simelane said.