Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
August 30, 1996
STATEMENT BY ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, CHAIRPERSON OF THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
A delegation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will meet former police Commissioners tomorrow to discuss their co-operation with the Commission's investigations into human rights violations.
Dr Alex Boraine, the deputy chairperson, Mr Dumisa Ntsebeza, the head of our investigative unit and Mr Glen Goosen, the national investigations director, will join me at the meeting in Cape Town.
The meeting was arranged by telephone tonight with General J V van der Merwe, former Commissioner of Police, after he had proposed a meeting including himself, General H G de Witt, General M Geldenhuys and General P J Coetzee.
The background to the meeting is as follows. Some weeks ago Dr Boraine announced that the Commission had instructed its Investigative Unit to be in a position to begin, on August 29, the process of serving subpoenas to individuals who may have information which would help the TRC carry out its mandate to establish the truth about human rights violations between 1960 and 1993.
Also some weeks ago, Dr Boraine and I urged the Minister of Safety and Security to prepare a submission to the Commission which could help us to fulfil our mandate.
After press speculation this week on the identities of some of those who were about to receive subpoenas, the Ministry of Safety and Security, through Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, yesterday indicated to us that certain former police generals named as being on our list were helping the Ministry with its submission, and were willing to come forward voluntarily and work with the Commission.
We indicated to Deputy President Mbeki that if we were assured today by the generals concerned that they would work with the Commission, we would hold back on the issuing of subpoenas. General van der Merwe wrote to me proposing a meeting and, after discussions this evening, we agreed that it should be held this weekend.
The Commission has repeatedly invited all those with information which may help it to establish the truth to come forward. We are prepared to issue subpoenas, under Section 29 of the act which established the Commission, in order to get information. However, if we receive the full co-operation of those who have the information we are seeking, we will not need to pursue that course.
Inquiries: John Allen 082- 452-7859