Issued by: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
22 September 1997
STATEMENT BY DR A M OMAR MP, MINISTER OF JUSTICE, WITH REGARD TO HIS MEETING WITH THE TRC ON 16 SEPTEMBER 1997 IN CONNECTION WITH AMNESTY APPLICATIONS
Minister of Justice, Dulah Omar, met with representatives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Tuesday, 16 September 1997, to consider the remaining work of the Commission.
Because the Amnesty date for receipt of Amnesty applications has been extended to 30 September 1997, there have been a number of further amnesty applications. I have been informed that there are over 6000 amnesty applications. Of them approximately 1600 require hearings. It is clear that the Amnesty Committee will not be able to complete its work by the end of 1997 or even by 14 March 1998.
As a result of careful consideration, a number of proposals were made and were considered by Cabinet on Wednesday, 17 September 1997.
Cabinet has approved a proposal as follows:
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its various committees will continue their work beyond December 1997.
The Human Rights Violations Committee and the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee will complete their work by 30 April 1998. The Amnesty Committee will be required to complete its work by 30 June 1998.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will complete its final report by 31 July 1998.
The extension of time to enable the TRC to complete its work does not mean that the work of the TRC is being reopened. No new work will be taken on after 14 December 1997. After that date and until the dates mentioned above, the relevant committees will finalise all outstanding work and matters incidental to amnesty applications which are still being finalised.
The necessary legislation will be submitted to parliament shortly.
Issued by Paul Setsetse on behalf of Dr A M Omar MP, Minister of Justice. Tel: 021-457506 Cell: 083 252 4770