Overview
- Former president Thabo Mbeki testified before the Khampepe TRC Cases Inquiry on Monday and rejected claims that he ordered prosecutions blocked or struck secret deals with apartheid-era security figures.
- Mbeki told the commission he met generals to encourage truth-telling to the amnesty process and insisted prosecutorial decisions rested with the National Prosecuting Authority rather than the presidency.
- Civil-rights groups and victims’ families pushed for the inquiry and AfriForum has formally asked the commission for permission for advocate Gerrie Nel to cross-examine Mbeki about specific alleged victims.
- Former president Jacob Zuma’s scheduled testimony was postponed because of his recent hospitalisation and a new date for his appearance has not been set.
- The commission’s mandate was extended to 18 December 2026 to finish hearings and families want clear explanations and possible accountability for roughly 300 TRC-referred matters that produced few prosecutions.