Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
July 10, 1996
STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, CHAIRPERSON, AND DR ALEX BORAINE, DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Following requests from a number of political parties, the Commission today reluctantly decided to postpone its plans to receive submissions from the parties on Friday July 12. A new date for the submissions will be negotiated with the parties.
The Commwas told by the parties concerned this morning and early this afternoon that:
- The ANC did not want to present submissions on Friday because of President Mandela's State visits overseas;
- The Pan Africanist Congress was not yet ready to hand in its submission; and
- The Freedom Front had reconsidered its position because it was formed after the period covered by the Commission's mandate, and did not want to present a submission until it had consulted with other right-wing parties.
In addition, the Inkatha Freedom Party had not yet indicated whether it would make a submission.
The National Party was told of these developments at lunchtime today. It was ready to make its submissions but decided that because other major parties would not attend, it would delay its presentation. The Commission decided to postpone Friday's arrangements when it became apparent that no major party would make submissions.
Negotiations on the new date still need to take place. The ANC has asked that it be after July 29, on the grounds that President Mandela will be back in the country. Its motivation is that it would be invidious for the President to be faced with questions relating to his party's submissions while he is overseas on official business representing all South Africans.
Inquiries: John Allen, TRC, 082-452-7859