Saftu Slams Ramaphosa’s TRC Inquiry as a Shameful Diversion from Justice

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has launched a scathing attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s latest commission of inquiry into the stalled prosecutions recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The federation accuses the Presidency of wasting time, resources, and public trust by forming yet another commission instead of delivering justice.

Calling the move “a bizarre and shameful spectacle,” Saftu says the state is effectively appointing a commission to investigate its own failure. The union argues that the pattern of governance by endless panels and reports—without action—has become a tool to avoid accountability.

The new commission is tasked with probing whether government officials obstructed investigations or prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) by the TRC more than two decades ago. Survivors and families of victims, frustrated by years of inaction, recently took legal action to compel the government to act.

“The truth has been told—again and again,” said Saftu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. “What we suffer from is a lack of political will by a political elite that refuses to hold itself accountable.”

A Legacy of Delays and Broken Promises

Saftu’s criticism highlights a deeper frustration with South Africa’s long-standing habit of launching commissions that rarely lead to meaningful change. The federation cited the Zondo Commission, Life Esidimeni arbitration, the Marikana Commission, and the Nugent inquiry into SARS as examples of inquiries that revealed systemic failures, yet delivered little justice or reform.

“Prosecutions are painfully slow, key enablers remain in office, and billions in stolen public funds have not been recovered,” said Vavi.

Even the TRC—once hailed as a cornerstone of South Africa’s democratic transition—has been betrayed, Saftu argues. Many perpetrators of apartheid violence who were denied or never sought amnesty remain unpunished. Meanwhile, victims’ families continue to wait for the justice they were promised.

‘Justice Buried Under Commissions’

While the Presidency insists the new inquiry comes after extensive settlement talks and is necessary for transparency, Saftu isn’t buying it. The federation warns that this latest commission risks becoming yet another “delay tactic dressed as a solution.”

“We cannot escape the feeling that the Presidency may now be establishing a commission to find out why apartheid police assassin Eugene de Kock was pardoned and protected while his victims still suffer,” said Saftu in a statement.

The union is calling for:

• Immediate implementation of all TRC recommendations

• A full accounting by the NPA of all unresolved TRC-related cases

• A national audit of all commissions and panels set up since 1994

“Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice buried under commissions is justice betrayed,” said Vavi.

A Call for Action, Not More Committees

Saftu concluded by urging civil society, human rights organisations, and South Africans to demand justice—real justice—not another report gathering dust on a shelf.

“We call on all progressive formations to reject the politics of delay and unite behind the call for accountability,” said Vavi. “It’s time we stopped managing failure and started confronting it.”

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com