South Africa - May 2025

In May, President Cyril Ramaphosa established a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid era crimes identified by South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). According to President Ramaphosa, since the TRC published its final report in 2002, 158 of the more than 300 cases referred for prosecution by the commission remain under investigation and only one has resulted in a conviction. These delays have fuelled long-standing allegations of improper influence in the cases. The establishment of the inquiry is an outcome of a lawsuit brought by 25 families and survivors of apartheid-era crimes. The inquiry is expected to complete its work by the end of November 2025 and submit its report within 60 days of the completion date.         

Sources: The Presidency, Republic of South Africa, South Africa Human Rights Commission, News 24