TRC cases
Siyabonga Sithole|Published
With former state presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki expected to appear before the TRC Cases Inquiry sometime next week, the Khampepe Commission has taken a week-long adjournment to prepare for the highly anticipated appearances.
Scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Mbeki’s appearance will precede Zuma’s on Thursday, marking an essential chapter in the ongoing investigations into alleged political interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.
The Khampepe Commission of Inquiry, which was established in early 2025, is charged with uncovering the truth surrounding claims of deliberate delays and political meddling with the legacy of the Truth an Reconciliation Commission (TRC), an entity that aimed to heal the nation's deep-rooted scars of apartheid. The inquiry, which seeks to conclude its work by December 18, 2026, with a report to the president, has been consistently scrutinised, especially after the Constitutional Court dismissed an application from both former presidents to remove Justice Sisi Khampepe as chairperson of the inquiry.
As the commission gears up for the hearings, revelations made during the inquiry continue to shape public understanding of the transitional period from apartheid to democracy. Last Friday, Jurgen Kogl, who facilitated critical conversations between apartheid leaders and the first democratic government from 1989 to 2003, bore witness to the intricacies of those discussions.
He highlighted the concept of "unfinished business," revealing that these talks, which involved both Mbeki and Zuma, included discussions with former military generals regarding unresolved issues from that era, notably the notorious Shobashobane massacre and the acquittal of Generals Mangnus Malan and Jannie Geldenhuys in the KwaMakhutha case.
Kogl testified that although he arranged meetings and guided discussions between apartheid leaders and democratic government leaders, he was not party to the decisions.
According to Kogl, these discussions are part of a complex web of negotiations that highlight the challenging task of reconciling a nation still plagued by the injustices of the apartheid past. He stated, "I arranged meetings between former presidents Mbeki and Zuma with former South African military generals to discuss unfinished business. The 'unfinished business' considered by the forum included issues arising from the unresolved Shobashobane massacre and from the acquittal of Generals Malan and Geldenhuys in the KwaMakhutha matter."
Kogl further detailed his involvement in the negotiation process between the ANC and apartheid leaders, shedding light on long-buried grievances and unresolved cases that could redefine the narrative surrounding post-apartheid justice and accountability.
"On 23 April 1994, an agreement (the Accord on Afrikaner Self-Determination) was signed at the Union Buildings by General Viljoen on behalf of the Freedom Front, Minister Roelf Meyer, on behalf of the South African government, and Mr Walter Sisulu and Mr Thabo Mbeki, on behalf of the ANC. I consigned the agreement as facilitator, solely in recognition of my role in facilitating the negotiations between the parties."
It remains unclear whether Zuma will appear, as he is receiving medical attention at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. His appearance will depend on whether his health has improved by then.
IOL reported that Zuma is expected to be discharged from hospital tomorrow, with those close to the situation saying the former head of state is doing fine following healthcare linked to his diabetes, resulting in him undergoing some checks and getting some rest.
siyabonga.sithole@nationalmg.co.za