5. The responses of political parties to the TRC Flashcards
Who was the most prominent figure to refuse to appear before the TRC?
The most prominent of these was P.W. Botha, the former president, whose government had allowed the use of death squads to kill its opponents.
Which leader did appear before the TRC and apologise for his actions?
F.W. de Klerk appeared before the TRC and made a formal apology for apartheid, but insisted that he had never authorised or been aware of the excesses of the brutal actions of the security forces.
What did de Klerk later take action on?
He later took legal action to prevent the publication of a paragraph in the final report which held him responsible for the activities of a ‘third force’ between 1990 and 1994.
What happened once the final report of the TRC was published?
When the draft report of the TRC was published, De Klerk expressed the view that the TRC had conducted a witch-hunt against people who had worked for the National Party government.
What did some agents of the National party claim De Klerk had been carrying out?
Some agents of the apartheid government claimed that they had been carrying out the orders of those in authority. One of these was Eugene de Kock, nicknamed ‘Prime Evil’, who was the commander of a notorious prison farm, Vlakplaas.
What happened at ‘Vlakplaas’
Here many anti-apartheid activists were tortured, turned into askaris (agents for the state), or killed.
Did Eugene de Kock, apply for amnesty?
Yes, but at the time of the TRC hearings he was in jail, serving two life sentences for his role in these murders. His actions were considered too appalling and therefore he was not allowed to apply for amnesty.
Who did Eugene de Kock implicate?
He did give evidence to the TRC, however. He implicated cabinet members, generals in the army and police, as well as Botha and De Klerk, for either authorising, being involved in, or knowing about the ‘dirty tricks’ used by the apartheid government.
Some _______ him and others like him as __________ for those who had given the ______ , and who now walked ____.
regarded
scapegoats
orders
free
What angered the ANC and PAC?
The ANC and the PAC were angered by the fact that the TRC made no distinction between the crimes committed by agents of the apartheid state and those committed by the liberation movements.
_____ ______, who represented the ____ at the hearings, felt very strongly about this. It was only when ____ threatened to _____, that members of the ANC agreed to ______ for amnesty for deeds committed.
Thabo Mbeki ANC Tutu resign apply
What did the ANC later try to do and why?
The ANC later tried, unsuccessfully, to block the publication of the whole TRC report because human rights abuses that took place in ANC training camps were criticised in the report.
Who else had major problems with the TRC?
The IFP also had major problems working with the TRC, which it believed was biased towards the ANC.
Why did the IFP advise its members to submit statements?
However, just before the deadline for submissions, the IFP advised its members to submit statements, possibly because otherwise they would not be entitled to reparations.
True or false, Over 8 000 Inkatha members did so, flooding the TRC’s Durban office with statements.
False, Over 5 000 Inkatha members did so, flooding the TRC’s Durban office with statements.
