The “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” is now unlikely to get under way until well into next year, according to Justice Minister Dullah Omar.
Omar has told the Mail & Guardian that the “process” of selecting members of the commission would begin shortly and would “hopefully” be complete by the end of December.
The commission would then have to set up offices and decide how to tackle its three main tasks: uncovering “the truth” about human rights abuses in the apartheid era; granting amnesty to those who confess; and making reparation to victims and their families.
“We are not rushing into appointments, because of the importance of the commission,” said Omar in an interview. It had been hoped that the commission would start hearings by October. In terms of enabling legislation it has 18 months to complete its task, extendible by six months.
The minister did not specify the process by which the commissioners would be chosen, but it is believed the plan is to create a broadly representative committee which will advise President Nelson Mandela on nominations.
Answering protests by victims — that they want “justice” rather than amnesties for the perpetrators of atrocities — Omar said all victims of crimes wanted vengeance.
“I am required by the constitution to ensure there is a law-making provision for amnesty,” he said. But he stressed that amnesties granted would not be automatic, or blanket. “I want to see there is maximum justice within the constraints within which I am working.”