Ramaphosa launches inquiry into apartheid-era crimes cover-ups

In South Africa, on a Wednesday in April 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate whether past governments, particularly those led by the African National Congress party, obstructed the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. This initiative was a response to demands from survivors and relatives of victims who have sought justice for over 20 years, claiming that improper influences stunted the legal processes intended to deliver accountability for these offenses. Ramaphosa's office indicated that the inquiry aims to address systemic failures in handling unresolved cases linked to the apartheid regime's brutality. This decision follows a court case initiated in January 2025 by 25 individuals representing the families of the victims of apartheid-era violence. They alleged that successive administrations since the end of apartheid in 1994 have not taken appropriate steps to act on the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) established in 1996. The commission, spearheaded by then-President Nelson Mandela and chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, aimed to document human rights abuses that occurred during the apartheid period and to facilitate the uncovering of past atrocities. Despite its efforts, many victims and their families have expressed disappointment over a lack of prosecutions and accountability. Significantly, one of the unresolved emblematic cases is that of the Cradock Four, a group of anti-apartheid activists abducted and murdered by state security forces in 1985. Despite previous investigations, no one has been prosecuted for their killings, highlighting broader concerns about the lack of justice for similar crimes. The inquiry launched by Ramaphosa is seen as a crucial step in addressing the grievances of those affected by apartheid, prioritizing legal accountability over national reconciliation, which had previously been favored by ANC-led governments. The inquiry represents a critical turning point in South Africa's struggle for justice, as it seeks to confront allegations that previous administrations may have obstructed the judicial process to avoid reopening historical wounds. The emotional toll on families seeking justice for lost loved ones underlines a broader societal demand for accountability in the aftermath of apartheid. As public and political pressure mounts, the commission's findings will likely have profound implications for how South Africa reconciles with its past and builds a more just future.