The Commission recognises and acknowledges the pain and suffering of apartheid-era victims and their families who, after 31 years of democracy, have yet to attain closure and justice. Today, we are reminded of the words of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (“TRC”) in its first report, issued during 1998, in which it said: “In order to avoid a culture of impunity and to entrench the rule of law, the granting of general amnesty in whatever guise should be resisted.”

President Ramaphosa informed Parliament on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, that 23 years after the TRC issued its final report, 158 cases, out of the more than 300 cases referred by the TRC to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution, remain under investigation with only one case, out of the 300, having resulted in a successful conviction. This only serves to realise the TRC’s worst fears.

The Commission, separate to the constitutional damages case instituted in January 2025 by twenty-five families and survivors of apartheid-era crimes,[1] with the assistance of the Foundation for Human Rights, has been approached by the families of apartheid-era victims for assistance. The Commission has also been engaging with members of the Khulumani Support Group’s Galela Campaign, which members remain camped outside of the Constitutional Court demanding redress, justice and accountability for apartheid-era crimes. In March 2025, the Commission launched its Promoting a Culture of Human Rights and Social Harmony through the Resolution of the National Question Campaign (“National Question Campaign”), which aims to facilitate open and honest discussions on the state of, and vision for, South African nation-building over the next 6 years. One of the pillars of the SAHRC’s National Question Campaign is redress, reparations, and reconciliation.

The Commission therefore looks forward to the publication of the terms of reference of the newly established judicial commission of inquiry, and to actively participating in the inquiry itself.

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ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

For further information or inquiries, please contact Given Makhuvele on 072 197 7581 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.