VOLUME ONE
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report The report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was presented to President Nelson Mandela on 29 October 1998.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize Chairperson
Dr Alex Boraine Mr Dumisa Ntsebeza Vice-Chairperson
Ms Mary Burton Dr Wendy Orr
Revd Bongani Finca Adv Denzil Potgieter
Ms Sisi Khampepe Dr Fazel Randera
Mr Richard Lyster Ms Yasmin Sooka
Mr Wynand Malan* Ms Glenda Wildschut
Dr Khoza Mgojo
*Subject to minority position. See Volume 5.
Chief Executive Officer: Dr Biki Minyuku CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Chapter 10 Chairperson’s Foreword...... 1 Administrative Reports of Statutory Committees Chapter 2 Amnesty Committee ...... 267 Historical Context ...... 24 Human Rights Violations Committee...... 277 Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee.. 285 Chapter 3 Setting up the Commission ...... 44 Chapter 11 Management and Operational Chapter 4 Reports The Mandate ...... 48 Finance Department...... 294 Appendix: Apartheid as a Crime against Appendix 1: Audited Financial Humanity ...... 94 Statements 1995/6 ...... 301 Apppendix 2: Audited Financial Chapter 5 Statements 1996/7 ...... 308 Concepts and Principles ...... 103 Apppendix 3: Donations Received ...... 317 Human Resources Department ...... 319 Chapter 6 Information Management Department ...... 322 Methodology and Process ...... 135 Investigation Unit ...... 326 Appendix 1: Legal Department...... 344 Information Management System...... 158 Media and Communication Department ..... 352 Appendix 2: Who Came to the Mental Health Unit ...... 364 Commission? ...... 165 Records Management Department...... 372 Research Department...... 374 Chapter 7 Safety and Security Department ...... 382 Legal Challenges ...... 174 Witness Protection Unit ...... 387
Chapter 8 Chapter 12 The Destruction of Records...... 201 Regional Reports Appendix 1: Disposal of State Sensitive Cape Town Regional Office ...... 392 Documentation ...... 237 Durban Regional Office ...... 411 Appendix 2: Top Management Guidelines East London Regional Office ...... 423 Category A Information ...... 242 Johannesburg Regional Office ...... 435 Appendix 3: Norms for determining sensitivity...... 243 Chapter 13 Addenda Chapter 9 Apartheid Legislation...... 448 Report of the Chief Executive and Commissions of Enquiry...... 498 Accounting Officer...... 244 Appendix 1: Functional Structure ...... 258 Appendix 2: National Hearings, Think Tanks and Workshops ...... 260 Appendix 3: Staff...... 262 Appendix 4: Foreign Interns...... 266 Appendix 5: Foreign Investigators ...... 266 Appendix 6: Outside Researchers...... 266 Volume ONE Chapter ONE Foreword by Chairperson THE MOST REVD D M TUTU ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS
1 All South Africans know that our recent history is littered with some horrendous occurrences - the Sharpville and Langa killings, the Soweto uprising, the Church Street bombing, Magoo’s Bar, the Amanzimtoti Wimpy Bar bombing, the St James’ Church killings, Boipatong and Sebokeng. We also knew about the deaths in detention of people such as Steve Biko, Neil Aggett, and others; necklacings, and the so-called ‘black on black’ violence on the East Rand and in KwaZulu Natal which arose from the rivalries between IFP and first the UDF and later the ANC. Our country is soaked in the blood of her children of all races and of all political persuasions.
2 It is this contemporary history - which began in 1960 when the Sharpville disaster took place and ended with the wonderful inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the first democratically-elected President of the Republic of South Africa - it is this history with which we have had to come to terms. We could not pretend it did not happen. Everyone agrees that South Africans must deal with that history and its legacy. It is how we do this that is in question - a bone of contention throughout the life of the Commission, right up to the time when this report was being written. And I imagine we can assume that this particular point will remain controversial for a long time to come.