A policy for the prosecution of apartheid-era political crimes was unveiled by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Cape Town on Tuesday.
It sets out directives for the prosecution of individuals denied amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and those who declined to seek such indemnity.
Briefing Parliament’s justice portfolio committee, deputy director of public prosecutions Gerhard Nel said it was impossible to predict how many cases would arise.
”There are only a few cases with us at the moment, that is all I can say.”
According to the policy, all decisions on prosecution will be taken by the National Director of Public Prosecutions himself.
The NPA’s Priority Crimes Litigation Unit (PCLU) would be responsible for overseeing investigations and instituting prosecutions — assisted by the police, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Justice Department and the Scorpions’ special investigating unit.
The policy provides for perpetrators to approach the NPA with information, and allows for them to become state witnesses.
While it also made provision for plea and sentencing agreements, it did not amount in any way to an amnesty process, Nel said.
Prosecutions would arise from victim complaints, and ongoing investigations into cases arising from the TRC hearings.
Cases could also be referred from the NIA and the police. – Sapa