South African National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza has testified before an inquiry into Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases, stating she was merely a caretaker justice minister in 2006. Didiza served as acting justice minister for just over five weeks, from September 5 to October 13, 2006, after then-justice minister Brigitte Mabandla fell ill. She claimed her temporary role meant she was not fully familiar with matters in the portfolio.
Didiza's testimony centered on two meetings allegedly linked to the handling of TRC-related cases. One meeting was said to have taken place at the home of the late minister of social development, Zola Skweyiya. Didiza stated she could not independently recall the meeting and would need official records to establish what had happened nearly 20 years ago. She requested minutes from the meeting but claimed she had not received them.
Didiza questioned the nature of the gathering at Skweyiya's home, suggesting it may not have been a formal government meeting. She noted that if it were a government meeting, it would have been expected that the chairperson of the cluster, who at the time was the minister of safety and security, would have convened it. Didiza expressed skepticism about convening a meeting at someone's home.
Advocate Nyoko Mvangwa led Didiza's evidence, and she was asked about her role as acting minister. Didiza explained that an acting minister assumes responsibility for the office but may not be familiar with all matters within the portfolio. She rejected the notion that an acting minister could initiate new programs for a department.
Didiza confirmed that as an acting minister, she was a "caretaker" until the substantive minister returned to the portfolio. The inquiry previously heard that advocate Vusi Pikoli testified that Didiza was present at a meeting and was "more passive in listening" due to her unfamiliarity with the issues as acting justice minister.
Didiza was also questioned about a second meeting allegedly involving the security cluster and an alleged proposal to establish a task team. She stated she could not recall these without documentation and was unsure what the task team was about. Her acting status was emphasized as crucial when considering what she could have known or done.
The inquiry continues to examine the handling of TRC-related cases, with Didiza's testimony providing insight into her role and responsibilities as acting justice minister. Her statements have highlighted the challenges of recalling events from nearly 20 years ago and the limitations of her authority as a caretaker minister.
Key points
- Thoko Didiza served as acting justice minister for just over five weeks in 2006.
- Didiza claims she cannot recall TRC meetings without official records.
- Her acting status limited her authority to launch new departmental programs.
