Thabo Mbeki Denies Obstructing Apartheid-Era Crime Prosecutions

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki testified this week before the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry, denying allegations that he obstructed the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. The commission, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is investigating why individuals not granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) remained unprosecuted between 2003 and the present.

Mbeki rejected claims that he held secret meetings with apartheid-era military and police generals to secure amnesty, describing such allegations as a complete fabrication. He clarified that a single interaction in 1996 occurred only because generals refused to apply for amnesty unless former President FW de Klerk's cabinet did so first. Mbeki further denied that his 2003 parliamentary speech was an attempt to suppress cases, arguing it was a call for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to build specialized capacity for post-TRC matters.

During his testimony, Mbeki distinguished his presidential pardon powers for convicted criminals from the prosecutorial decisions regarding unconvicted persons. He attributed the delays in bringing cases to court to the NPA rather than political interference, asserting that his administration consistently respected the independence of the TRC and the state prosecution service.