https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250311/south-african-presidents-legal-team-seeks-settlement-in-apartheid-era-crimes-lawsuit-1071041727.html
South African President’s Legal Team Seeks Settlement in Apartheid-Era Crimes Lawsuit
South African President’s Legal Team Seeks Settlement in Apartheid-Era Crimes Lawsuit
Sputnik Africa
The case highlights lingering challenges in addressing past human rights violations. South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established under... 11.03.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-03-11T17:51+0100
2025-03-11T17:51+0100
2025-03-11T18:18+0100
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cyril ramaphosa
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's legal team is preparing to enter negotiations to settle a lawsuit brought by families of victims of apartheid-era crimes earlier in January, media reported on Monday.The case, which targets Ramaphosa and several government agencies, alleges that the state has obstructed efforts to seek justice for past human rights violations.Filed by 20 victims or their representatives, the lawsuit seeks 167 million rand (approximately $9.2 million) in damages and the establishment of a commission of inquiry to examine why crimes such as murder, torture, and abduction committed by apartheid security forces have largely gone unprosecuted.Ramaphosa, along with South Africa’s police and justice ministers, has withdrawn opposition to the case, while the National Prosecuting Authority continues to resist it. According to Howard Varney, a lawyer representing the families, this means the president is not opposing key aspects of their claims, including the proposed commission of inquiry and constitutional damages, the report added.Negotiations are set to begin on March 17, with a judge reportedly encouraging both sides to reach a settlement by the end of the month.The lawsuit raises concerns about the lack of progress in prosecuting apartheid-era cases, a long-standing issue under successive African National Congress-led administrations. It suggests that previous governments, including that of former President Thabo Mbeki, may have deliberately hindered legal proceedings and potentially reached undisclosed agreements with officials from the apartheid regime.Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that Ramaphosa views mediation as the best approach to resolving the matter with the affected families.Mbeki, who has denied any interference in prosecutions, has signaled his intention to intervene in the case and has until March 31 to do so, according to Varney.
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cyril ramaphosa, south africa, nelson mandela, african national congress (anc), apartheid, crime, justice, criminal case, southern africa
South African President’s Legal Team Seeks Settlement in Apartheid-Era Crimes Lawsuit
17:51 11.03.2025 (Updated: 18:18 11.03.2025) Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
The case highlights lingering challenges in addressing past human rights violations. South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established under former President Nelson Mandela, recommended the prosecution of approximately 300 cases upon concluding its work in the early 2000s. However, only a few have proceeded to trial.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's legal team is preparing to enter negotiations to settle a
lawsuit brought by families of victims of apartheid-era crimes earlier in January, media reported on Monday.
The case, which targets Ramaphosa and several government agencies, alleges that the state has obstructed efforts to seek justice for past human rights violations.
Filed by
20 victims or their representatives, the lawsuit seeks
167 million rand (approximately $9.2 million) in damages and the establishment of a commission of inquiry to examine why crimes such as murder, torture, and abduction committed by
apartheid security forces have largely gone unprosecuted.
Ramaphosa, along with
South Africa’s police and justice ministers, has withdrawn opposition to the case, while the National Prosecuting Authority continues to resist it. According to Howard Varney, a lawyer representing the families, this means the president is not opposing key aspects of their claims, including the proposed commission of inquiry and constitutional damages, the report added.
Negotiations are set to begin on March 17, with a judge reportedly encouraging both sides to reach a settlement by the end of the month.
The lawsuit raises concerns about the lack of progress in prosecuting apartheid-era cases, a long-standing issue under successive African National Congress-led administrations. It suggests that previous governments, including that of former President Thabo Mbeki, may have deliberately hindered legal proceedings and potentially reached undisclosed agreements with officials from the apartheid regime.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that Ramaphosa views
mediation as the best approach to resolving the matter with the affected families.
Mbeki, who has denied any interference in prosecutions, has signaled his intention to intervene in the case and has until March 31 to do so, according to Varney.
