victims
Rehana Rossouw
ALL victims of gross human rights abuse who give their stories to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be offered the same cash compensation, irrespective of their individual suffering or financial status.
The commission’s Reparation and Reconciliation Committee said this week that every victim would be given an equal share of the money available, regardless of the number of times they suffered a gross violation of human rights. Means testing had been ruled out as too expensive.
The committee also noted that most of the victims heard so far had wanted shelter, medical assistance and an investigation of their complaints. Just 100 of the 9000 victims identified so far wanted cash.
“For most victims, money alone is not enough,” said committee member Piet Meiring. “For many people conciliation does not come at a price.
“We cannot attach a value to the life of a husband, wife, son or daughter. We cannot put a price on the length or intensity of a torture.
“Whatever money is available should belong to all the victims equally. A politician on the gravy train would receive the same amount as an unemployed mother whose only breadwinner has been killed.
“It is my personal hope that those who do not need the money will return it for redistribution to those who are more needy.”
One reported estimate for the total reparation bill is R3-billion, which would pay for financial and symbolic reparation for the 30000 victims the commission hopes to have on its books by the time its mandate expires in December.
Most of the funds will come from government, via the President’s Fund. Foreign governments have already made donations and further funds could be raised abroad, and from the South African public and business community.
Those victims qualifying for urgent reparation are expected to receive help days after the commission hands its final report to President Nelson Mandela next March.
The reparation committee is also formulating a policy of symbolic reparation, holding national and regional workshops as a first step.
There is enthusiasm for the erection of monuments or memorials, museums, archives and peace parks. A structure similar to the Vietnam memorial in Washington has been mooted.
Many also support the call for a national day of remembrance and reconciliation, either using an existing public holiday or creating a new one.