Fuming families question Ramaphosa over Khampepe's appointment

FAMILIES of victims linked to unresolved cases from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) have questioned President Cyril Ramaphosa over the appointment of retired judge Sisi Khampepe to chair the inquiry into stalled TRC prosecutions.

- KARABO NGOEPE

The families say they are struggling to understand how Khampepe could have been appointed without what they describe as a proper background check.

The issue arose after former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma requested that Khampepe recuse herself from the commission of inquiry.

In his legal submissions, Ramaphosa did not oppose the relief sought by the two former presidents and argued that no due diligence had been conducted regarding Khampepe' previous roles.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that if he had known she had previously served as a commissioner at the TRC and as Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority, he would not have appointed her.

Speaking during a media briefing this week, Hlekani Rikhotso said it was surprising that Ramaphosa now appeared to support the nullification of the commission he had established.

“How do you appoint someone without checking their background?” Rikhotso asked.