Good Party backs Gauteng High Court ruling on apartheid damages case
R167 million case
The Good Party has celebrated a landmark ruling from the Gauteng High Court, which has dismissed the South African government's application to delay a R167 million constitutional damages case. In May, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe (in red), which was established to look into allegations that justice had been delayed in the TRC matters.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
The Good Party has voiced its strong endorsement of the recent Gauteng High Court ruling, which dismissed an application by the South African government aimed at delaying a significant constitutional damages case.
The case concerns a staggering R167 million, sought by the families of victims and survivors of crimes committed during the apartheid era.
On Friday, the High Court in Pretoria delivered a significant victory for a group of survivors and families of victims of apartheid-era crimes. The court upheld their challenge against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African government's attempt to indefinitely postpone a crucial R167 million constitutional damages claim.
Launched in January this year, this case has culminated more than 20 years after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) made its recommendations concerning the grave violations of human rights during the apartheid era.
In a written judgment delivered on Friday, Judge Nicolene Janse Van Nieuwenhuizen said it was understandable that family members, some of whom are elderly, were eager to find closure and put the matter to rest.
"It is rather ironic that the Government, which is the sole cause for the delay, wants this court to sanction yet a further indefinite delay without being able to point to any tangible benefit that will be achieved by the delay,” the Judge stated.
In May, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe, which was established to get to the bottom of allegations that justice had been delayed in the TRC matters due to political interference.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Cases Inquiry, chaired by Sisi Khampepe, recently announced that it has concluded its consultations with family and legal representatives and other parties who are central to its work.
According to the GOOD Party, after establishing the commission, Ramaphosa changed his mind about not opposing the families’ litigation and applied to the court to stay the case until the commission completed its work.
Reacting to the judgment, Brett Heron, speaking on behalf of the GOOD Party, welcomed the decision.
"Getting to the truth of the cause of delays is critically important to restoring the integrity of South Africa’s criminal justice system. Political interference has contributed significantly to the culture of impunity with which the country is so badly afflicted today," said Herron.