'Amnesty review' on the cards
2004-04-13 12:13
Cape Town - Two weeks before Reconciliation Day, when South Africa will celebrate ten years of democracy, the ANC seems to be reconsidering prosecutions stemming from the TRC amnesty process.
The ruling party unexpectedly said in a statement on Monday that it was in discussion with the NNP over "unfinished TRC issues".
ANC communications chief Smuts Ngonyama said the NNP had expressed concern that Neurenberg-type trials could damage nation building.
Ngonyama said "Neurenberg trials" were not in the country's interest and the ANC was willing to discuss the TRC report with "everybody concerned" in order to find workable solutions.
Neither the ANC, nor the NNP divulged details about the discussions and failed to admit whether a new form of amnesty was on the table.
NNP media director Carol Johnson said talks were continuing.
Ngonyama said the "only agreement was the agreement to discuss the issue". Meanwhile the legal processes would not be anticipated.
Reliable sources said informal discussions between the NNP and the ANC regarding TRC prosecutions have been going on for quite a while and formal discussions could follow.
Apparently there are some people in government circles who believe there should be a visible symbol of reconciliation on April 27, the same day Mbeki will be inaugurated.
Political circles were of the opinion that general amnesty was an option. But this option was probably unlikely, as some TRC members were pressing for prosecutions.
Another option was "review procedures", which could lead to either prosecution or amnesty.
Presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said he was aware of discussions on party level under Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota.
Nieuwoudt
But if there were talk of changes regarding prosecutions, Mbeki would announce these personally, Khumalo said. He was not aware of such an announcement being planned.
The ANC's statement that a change could be anticipated, was brought to the fore by the recent arrest of former security police member Gideon Nieuwoudt.
This arrest started a debate about whether TRC prosecutions could open up a hornet's nest which could involve several well-known political figures and which could harm the national reconciliation process.
Meanwhile, former president FW de Klerk said he welcomed the ANC's willingness to discuss the "delicate problem".
He said he welcomed any initiative that would realise the commitment to amnesty for political crimes.
He believed there should be a review process, and that a witch-hunt should be avoided.