National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza is set to appear before the judicial commission of inquiry, led by retired justice Sisi Khampepe, over allegations related to two meetings she attended in 2006 while acting justice minister. The commission is investigating possible interference and delays in post-Truth and Reconciliation Commission prosecutions of apartheid-era perpetrators. Didiza's spokesperson confirmed her appearance, despite her reservations about the allegations.
The allegations concern a meeting allegedly held at the home of the late social development minister Zola Skweyiya, which was said to have been called to discuss prosecutions in the Reverend Frank Chikane matter. The meeting allegedly included then police minister Charles Nqakula, defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota, Didiza, and Skweyiya. Former national director of public prosecutions Vusi Pikoli was also allegedly summoned to attend. However, Didiza claims that Pikoli's evidence did not implicate her in any attempt to influence the prosecution.
In an affidavit, Didiza stated that she has no recollection of making any statements or taking any actions that could be seen as interfering with the prosecution. She also questioned the absence of contemporaneous records relating to the meeting, saying that her legal representatives requested such records from the commission but were not provided with the necessary documents. As a result, Didiza claims that the allegations against her lack specificity.
The second allegation concerns a subsequent meeting of security cluster ministers at which a proposal to establish a working group was accepted. This working group, later referred to as an investigative task team, was involved in matters concerning outstanding TRC cases. However, Didiza disputes any suggestion that she played a role in establishing or operating the task team, saying that no specific statement, view, or act has been attributed to her in relation to the meeting.
Didiza pointed to evidence that the task team's first meeting, on October 12, 2006, was attended by Pikoli, his adviser Kalyani Pillay, senior officials from the National Intelligence Agency, and the department of justice. She was not alleged to have attended that meeting. The passage of time and absence of records have made it difficult for her to respond to the allegations, Didiza said.
Despite her reservations, Didiza remains willing to co-operate if the commission requires her attendance or wants further written questions answered. She emphasized that she has left all official documents and records in her possession at the time with the relevant departments when she left office. The allegations relate to a six-week period, over 20 years ago, when she was in an acting position.
The Khampepe commission's investigation into possible interference and delays in post-TRC prosecutions continues, with Didiza's appearance being a part of the process. The commission aims to uncover the truth behind allegations of interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era perpetrators.
Key points
- Thoko Didiza to appear before Khampepe commission over 2006 allegations
- Didiza disputes allegations of interfering with Reverend Frank Chikane's prosecution
- Commission investigates possible interference and delays in post-TRC prosecutions
