Veteran ANC stalwart Dr Mathews Phosa has urged the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry to subpoena former President Thabo Mbeki to clarify alleged secret agreements over apartheid-era amnesty and TRC prosecutions. Phosa, 74, holds significant historical knowledge about early negotiations between the apartheid state and the African National Congress (ANC) in the 1990s. He testified at the Khampepe Commission on October 2, 2026, at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg.
Phosa was part of the ANC's negotiation team, which included Nelson Mandela, Ruth Mompati, Cheryl Carolus, Jacob Zuma, and Penuell Maduna. He played a pivotal role in the transition to democracy, including secret negotiations after his undercover return to South Africa in 1990. Phosa described a "turning point" on the eve of the announcement of the country's new interim Constitution in 1993, when General Krappies Engelbrecht raised the issue of blanket amnesty for police members.
Phosa assumed Engelbrecht referred to former "askaris" and Vlakplaas members, a notorious police Security Branch headquarters. He was part of a team that interrogated Vlakplaas commander Dirk Coetzee, who defected to the ANC in 1989. Coetzee provided detailed accounts of torture and murders, including the assassination of civil rights lawyer Griffiths Mxenge. Phosa understood the gravity of Engelbrecht's threat to "let loose his men" if the ANC did not accede to blanket amnesty.
Phosa told the inquiry that Mandela and FW de Klerk agreed to resolve amnesty issues through a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established in 1996. Phosa strongly opposed granting amnesty without disclosure and recalled a tense encounter with Engelbrecht. A previously classified memo from FW de Klerk's last cabinet meeting suggests an agreement was reached, but Phosa claimed no knowledge of this.
Phosa expressed disappointment that Mbeki had attempted to delay testifying and urged the commission to subpoena him. He noted that Mbeki, as deputy president, had been involved in key discussions. Phosa's testimony provided context to early negotiations between the ANC and the Nationalist government. His role in the ANC's underground and military intelligence has given him unique insight into the period.
The Khampepe Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate allegations of political interference in the investigations of apartheid-era crimes. Phosa's testimony highlighted the complexities of negotiations leading to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission's findings may shed light on the role of key figures, including Thabo Mbeki, in shaping the country's transition to democracy.
Phosa's call for Mbeki's subpoena adds to the ongoing debate about accountability for apartheid-era crimes. The ANC veteran's testimony underscores the significance of transparency and disclosure in addressing the country's troubled past. As the commission continues its inquiry, Phosa's words are likely to resonate with those seeking truth and reconciliation.
Key points
- Phosa urges subpoena of Thabo Mbeki over alleged secret agreements on apartheid-era amnesty.
