Issued by: Office of the President
The President's Office confirms that consequent upon the submissions by General van der Merwe at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, the Office of the President has received a notice in terms of section 30(2) of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act 34 of 1995. This notice affords the President, if he so wishes, an opportunity to either submit representations to the Commission or to give evidence at the hearing.
In the light of the subsequent retraction made by General van der Merwe to the effect that he had never meant to suggest that the President had actually directed Judged Goldstone and his investigative team to stop the investigation into police activities further submissions by the President are not necessary.
The President is already on public record confirming that he did not intervene in any such manner. Indeed, it is clear from the facts and from the General's own testimony that the relevant investigations were not halted, but on the contrary, proceeded with the unit, under the Attorney-General, which took over the terminated Commission investigations. As all of this is one record it is not essential for the President to make any representations nor give evidence.
29 July 1998 Issued by the Office of the President Parks Mankahlana 012 319 1512 082 553 4569