January 05, 2007, 13:30
The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has asked Brigitte Mabandla, the justice minister, to speedily process the Presidential Pardon applications of 384 Inkatha Freedom Party associates in prison.
Tseliso Thipanyane, the SAHRC chief executive officer, said today the commission had found the minister violated the applicants' rights because they had not yet been processed. The commission therefore recommended that Mabandla process the applications within three months and make a progress report to the SAHRC each month, with a full report after 90 days, he said.
Two other complainants
Koos van der Merwe the IFP Chief Whip, said his party was one of three complainants to the SAHRC on the issue. The IFP had laid a charge with the commission after the applications for pardons by the 384 prisoners were not processed in three years. "The 384 applications were submitted by the IFP on behalf of prisoners and the minister has done nothing for three years," Van der Merwe said.
He called on Mabandla to resign immediately. "It's a very serious matter. How can South Africa expect justice if the minister is a violator of human rights?" The commission's finding was a triumph for justice and for the hundreds of prisoners who had waited for some three years for their applications for presidential pardons to be processed, Van der Merwe said. - Sapa
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