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The TRC, a process that shaped the freedom of South Africa

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As we celebrate Freedom Day in 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has emerged as one of the pivotal processes that shaped the freedoms South Africans enjoy today – as well as those they do not.

Events linked to the TRC, such as parole applications for Apartheid crime perpetrators, still permeates our society. And, historically, there are varying views on how effective the TRC was.

Civil society has said that there is a significant amount of unfinished business relating to the TRC’s recommendations with issues like reparations, compensation, and prosecutions needing to be addressed.

The TRC gripped the nation, but was also called a crying commission by some.

Very few of the Apartheid Government’s top brass gave unequivocal apologies.

Events like the 2013 death of former Vlakplaas commander, and co-founder, Dirk Coetzee, brought to the fore the extent of the TRC’s unfinished business. The controversial former police officer said in 1997: “I was in the heart of the whore.”

“The one thing that I’ll have to live (with) till the day I die, is the corpses that I have to drag with me to my grave, of the people whom I killed. Remorse I can assure you, a lot. A hell of a lot.” Coetzee made this statement in a Special Report programme on the TRC, aired on 10 November, 1996. His death brought to the surface once again the pain that is his legacy with the mystery of where at least one activist, Sizwe Kondile, is buried. Kondile’s family spoke out upon hearing about his death, saying he never should have been granted amnesty, and the Khumulani Support Group said it was sad that he died before the whole truth could be revealed. His death had effectively put an end to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s hopes to crack the case. To watch the Special Report episode where Coetzee testifies and speaks to the SABC, click below.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the chairman of South Africa’s TRC. Created by Nelson Mandela’s Government of National Unity in 1995, it was set up to help South Africans come to terms with their extremely troubled past.

Established to investigate the violations that took place between 1960 and 1994, it provided support and reparation to victims and their families.

It also compiled a full and objective record of the effects of apartheid on South African society.

On April 16, 1996, day two of the TRC hearings in the East London City Hall, Archbishop Desmond Tutu wept. Former Robben Islander Singqokwana Ernest Malgas was describing his torture by security police.

The TRC would hear from 21 000 people across South Africa.

According to Tutu, “Forgiving is not forgetting; it’s actually remembering… remembering and not using your right to hit back. It’s a second chance for a new beginning. And the remembering part is particularly important. Especially if you don’t want to repeat what happened.”

And forgiving events that were placed in the spotlight by the TRC became very topical again in 2015.

In April, the South African History Archives (SAHA) announced it would be releasing transcripts of the TRC’s Section 29
in-camera hearings, offering hope for those still seeking healing from the country’s violent past.

The SABC and SAHA had in 2013 collaborated to create a website containing all the special coverage of the TRC hearings in video format and transcripts, as well as full TRC report and recommendations.

In January, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha had announced that Former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock has been placed under parole.

He was unable to give a decision on Ferdinand Barnard’s parole application yet.

Clive Derby-Lewis, who was the brain behind the killing of SACP secretary general Chris Hani, would not be released on medical parole.

See below for a selection of stories related to these topics.

Extract from the last episode of the Truth Commission Special Report series:
‘One of the main reasons for the painful process we’re undergoing was that South Africans should never make the same mistakes again, but another important reason is that we as a nation should create a new moral order. Apartheid was, to put it mildly, an immoral ideology. It was a violent system of government which denied the majority of people their basic freedom and dignity and granted special privileges to white people. During this time of oppression and the often violent opposition to it the public morality of our people were fundamentally undermined. Politicians and public figures were not accountable. Corruption in public and private life was rife, violence and crime was seen as normal. We have a democracy now with a splendid constitution and a bill of rights, but are we establishing a new morality in South Africa?’ (Max du Preez.)

Related articles: TRC Updates, by sabcnewsonline

First episode of the TRC Special Report. Last episode of the TRC Special Report.

– By Christelle du Toit and Richard Brooks

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