OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Tuesday 2.30pm.
THE Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Amnesty Committee on Tuesday refused amnesty to 79 African National Congress members who had applied collectively for amnesty for policy decision that led to gross human rights violations.
The group is the second joint application by ANC members to be refused amnesty by the TRC.
In a statement on Tuesday, the amnesty committee said the ANC group, which includes several national leaders, applied for amnesty based on their taking collective responsibility for policy decisions that led to cadres committing human rights violations. “In a further exchange of communication between the ANC and the Amnesty Committee it was made clear that none of the applicants had been involved in any individual action for which they would be required to seek amnesty.”
The statement continued: “The committee found that whereas an act, omission or offence must be the subject matter of an application, in this instance no such act, omission or offence had been disclosed. The committee then concluded that the applicants did not comply with the requirements of the act.” The application was therefore refused.
In early March, another group of 37 ANC leaders, including Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and Defence Minister Joe Modise, was refused amnesty on similar grounds.
Among the latest group to be refused amnesty are prominent ANC leaders, including Welfare Minister Geraldine Fraser Moleketi, National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala, Environment and Tourism Minister Pallo Jordan, Minerals and Energy Minister Penuell Maduna, Housing Minister Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, intelligence chief Joe Nhlanhla, Public Service Minister Zola Skweyiya, Justice Minister Dullar Omar, and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Baleka Mbete-Kgositsile.