Geophrey Ledwaba, former head of operations at the Scorpions, testified at the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry that he did not halt investigations into Truth and Reconciliation Commission matters in 2003. He described his actions as a compliance with National Prosecution Authority policy to transfer cases to the Priority Crimes Litigation Unit. The testimony counters claims by victim families of political interference blocking justice.
Geophrey Ledwaba appeared before the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry in Newtown, Johannesburg, on Tuesday to address allegations from the Calata Group, families of TRC murder victims. The group claims his July 2003 memorandum halted Directorate of Special Operations investigations into TRC cases following former president Thabo Mbeki's April 2003 call for an Amnesty Task Team.
Ledwaba insisted the memo was mischaracterised. It instructed closing files in the DSO’s Special National Projects Unit for handover to the newly formed Priority Crimes Litigation Unit, headed by Anton Ackermann. He facilitated the transfer by moving two researchers and having DSO investigators brief SAPS on witnesses.
He recounted a July 2003 meeting with Ackermann and Chris Macadam, who sought to declare TRC cases as DSO projects under section 28(1)(a) of the NPA Act. Ledwaba declined, advising they seek a directive from the National Director of Public Prosecutions under section 28(1)(b). When obtained in 2004, he authorised the six requested investigations.
Ledwaba denied Macadam's description of the meeting as unpleasant, attributing tension to prior seniority dynamics. He maintained his instructions ensured proper legal procedures and PCLU assistance, rejecting claims of obstruction.
