By Zuko Komisa
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has forwarded 129 cases to the Hawks for additional investigations.
This was revealed in the response given by Ronald Lamola, minister of justice and correctional services, to questions posed in the legislature by Brett Herron of the GOOD party.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has not yet finished reevaluating the TRC cases.
He had asked if, as anticipated, the NPA would make a decision on the other cases after finishing its evaluation of the TRC cases.
He also enquired as to why the remaining instances, which had already been sent to the Hawks for investigation and/or prosecution, had not been given the same treatment.
“It is not possible to stipulate a specific date as it is an ongoing process. However, efforts are made to ensure that the matters are referred as speedily as possible,” he said.
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The Hawks were looking into 59 TRC cases in all prior to September 2021. Priority Crimes Litigation Unit (PCLU) was in charge of them until the cases were transferred to the appropriate provinces in April 2019.
Lamola reported that the PCLU had identified an additional 55 cases for reopening.
He also asserted that NPA head Shamila Batohi instructed devoted prosecutors to make sure that contact with the families was made in all TRC cases that were under investigation in an internal memo circulated to all NPA divisions.
“It was also emphasised that families must be updated regularly on the progress made in their matters,” said Lamola.
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