Jeffery denies apartheid prosecutions compromise at Khampepe Inquiry

• Deputy Justice Minister John Jeffery denied claims that the ANC made compromises with apartheid-era leaders.
• Jeffery disputed previous statements attributed to him, saying he never conceded that the ANC government agreed not to prosecute TRC cases or made compromises with perpetrators.
• The Khampepe Inquiry is investigating the reasons behind delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes and scrutinizing the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of potential implications on ongoing prosecutions and updates to the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) negotiations.

Jeffery disputed previous statements attributed to him, saying he never conceded that the ANC government agreed not to prosecute TRC cases or made compromises with perpetrators.

John Jeffery, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, testified before the Khampepe Inquiry on TRC prosecution delays. He denied claims that the ANC had made compromises with apartheid-era leaders, contradicting previous statements attributed to him. In 2017, Lukhanyo Calata, son of activist Fort Calata, presented evidence that Jeffery had said the lack of TRC prosecutions was part of a 'negotiated settlement' at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa). This statement has been disputed by Jeffery, who claims he never conceded that the ANC government agreed not to prosecute TRC cases or made compromises with perpetrators.

The Khampepe Commission of Inquiry into delayed Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) prosecutions is investigating the reasons behind the delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes. The inquiry has heard testimony from various individuals, including Lukhanyo Calata, who presented evidence that Jeffery had made statements implying that the ANC government had agreed to compromise on TRC cases. The Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) negotiations took place in 1991 and 1992, with the aim of establishing a democratic government in South Africa. The legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and ongoing prosecutions are also being scrutinized by the inquiry.

The testimony of John Jeffery before the Khampepe Inquiry has raised questions about the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission's aim was to provide a platform for victims of apartheid-era crimes to testify and receive amnesty or reparation. However, the delays in prosecuting these cases have been criticized as compromising the integrity of the TRC process. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the potential implications of this inquiry on ongoing prosecutions and any updates to the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) negotiations.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential implications on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's legacy and ongoing prosecutions, as well as any updates to the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) negotiations.

Source: Original reporting via Daily Maverick