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FILE | Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Cape Town.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is to establish a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe if attempts were made to prevent the investigation or prosecution of apartheid-era crimes referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to the NPA.
He maintains that all affected families deserve closure and justice.
The establishment of the commission follows settlement discussions in a court application brought by families of victims of apartheid-era crimes.
The presidency says through this commission, the president is determined that the true facts be established and the matter brought to finality.
Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, “The presidency says allegations of improper influence in delaying or hindering the investigation and prosecution of these crimes have persisted from previous administrations. The presidency will shortly make an announcement on the head of the Commission of Inquiry, the timeframes and the full terms of reference.”
Meanwhile, a retired Outpatient clerk, who worked at the Stanger hospital when Inkosi Albert Luthuli died, has told the Pietermaritzburg High court that white and black people were treated in separate sections of the hospital during the apartheid regime.
Mohamed Manjoo was one of the first people to see the ANC leader in hospital.
Luthuli died at Stanger Hospital after being reportedly struck by a goods train in Groutville, KwaZulu-Natal.
The inquest into his death has been re-opened.
Manjoo has told the court white people would be rushed to Addington Hospital in Durban if they were in a critical condition.
Last week Luthuli’s grandson Mthunzi Luthuli blamed the hospital for not doing enough to save the life of his grandfather.
Manjoo was cross-examined.
“They will first look at local available resources. In the north, we only had Indian and white doctors at that time. I don’t think there was any instance where they would transfer patients to, at that time, King Edward Hospital. Coloureds were also taken to Addington Hospital. There was that separation, and there were white than us Indians or Blacks,” says Manjoo.
