Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
Mbeki denies blocking prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes
Former South African president Thabo Mbeki denied blocking prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes at a judicial inquiry in Johannesburg on Monday.
He also denied making secret deals to shield former security officers from justice.
Mbeki said the National Prosecuting Authority must explain why it did not pursue cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or TRC.
The TRC offered amnesty to perpetrators who fully disclosed politically motivated crimes, but people denied amnesty or who did not apply remained liable to prosecution.
The TRC referred about 300 cases for investigation and possible prosecution, but only a handful led to successful prosecutions.
Victims’ families have waited decades for justice, and missing evidence and the deaths of witnesses and suspects have made cases harder to pursue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the inquiry after victims and survivors sued successive governments over failures to investigate unresolved crimes.
Thabo Mbeki denied making a secret deal with apartheid-era generals to secure amnesty or prevent prosecutions.
Testifying to the Khampepe Commission in Johannesburg, he said a meeting with military and police officers was intended to encourage their participation in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process.
The commission is investigating allegations of political interference in cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Mbeki also denied that his government intervened to stop prosecutions and said presidential pardons applied only to people already convicted.
The Constitutional Court dismissed Mbeki and Jacob Zuma’s challenge to the commission chairperson’s refusal to recuse herself.
- Who
- Former South African President Thabo Mbeki testified before the Khampepe Commission.
- What
- He denied secret amnesty deals with apartheid-era generals and denied directing or approving the suppression of prosecutions.
- When
- Monday, October 19, 2026.
- Where
- Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Why
- The commission is investigating allegations of political interference in cases involving crimes committed under apartheid.
Thabo Mbeki
Victims’ families and critics of the government’s handling of apartheid-era cases
Secret talks
Thabo Mbeki
Mbeki said discussions with former military and police officers aimed to encourage their participation in the truth commission, not to secure protection from prosecution.
Victims’ families and critics of the government’s handling of apartheid-era cases
Critics allege secret talks with generals were intended to help them avoid prosecution.
Prosecutions
Thabo Mbeki
Mbeki said he did not direct, authorize or approve the suppression of investigations or prosecutions.
Victims’ families and critics of the government’s handling of apartheid-era cases
Victims’ families and survivors have sought explanations for why cases referred by the truth commission were not pursued.
Pardons
Thabo Mbeki
Mbeki said presidential pardons applied to people already convicted and did not prevent investigations or prosecutions.
Victims’ families and critics of the government’s handling of apartheid-era cases
Critics argue the pardons bypassed the truth commission’s amnesty procedures.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission began work, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Mbeki was accused of holding secret talks with apartheid-era generals to secure amnesty; he acknowledged meeting former military and police officers but denied making such a deal.
Mbeki told Parliament that prosecutors working with intelligence agencies could make lawful arrangements with people willing to disclose information about past crimes.
Mbeki testified before the Khampepe Commission and denied interfering with prosecutions.
- Commission chair
- Retired justice Sisi Khampepe
- Alleged meeting
- 1998
- Truth commission amnesty applications
- About 7,000 received
- Cases referred for further investigation
- About 300
- Presidential pardons
- Mbeki said he pardoned 33 prisoners
4 sources
What people are saying
It's a complete fabrication. There’s no such thing. There were no such meetings that took place in order to secure amnesty for them,
I did not direct, authorize, or approve the suppression of the investigation or prosecution of crimes,
After so many years of waiting and obfuscation, the families really look forward to a candid explanation of why they have been denied justice,