Families of victims of apartheid-era crimes still want the truth, says FHR

Source: EWN Traffic
Author: Lindsay Dentlinger

CAPE TOWN - The Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) says while the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) should be commended for the effort it is putting into investigating Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases, there hasn't been enough progress.

The NPA has dedicated a special unit of prosecutors to deal with cases that stem from the commission, which has resulted in fresh inquests being concluded.

But the Foundation for Human Rights says it's disappointing that none of them have led to prosecutions because the perpetrators have died.

The FHR supports a number of families in at least 20 TRC matters they are hoping will one day come before courts.

This week it's welcomed the NPA's decision to open an inquest into the Highgate massacre - the 1993 killing of five men and the wounding of seven others in a shooting spree at a hotel in East London on May Day.

The foundation's executive director, Zaid Kimmie, says the families of victims of apartheid-era crimes still want the truth.

"The prospect of successful criminal prosecutions were slim to start with and get slimmer each day. But that may not be the main object at this point."

Kimmie says it's hoped inquests into the deaths of the Cradock Four and academic and activist, Rick Turner, will start this year.

"What we are after now is just some form of closure, some form of proper understanding of what happened in each of these cases and setting the record straight."

The NPA is currently investigating over 130 TRC cases.