Former NPA head Shaun Abrahams denies interference in TRC prosecutions

Former National Prosecuting Authority head Shaun Abrahams told the Khampepe Commission that TRC-related prosecutions started during his tenure and denied any political interference or personal failure in handling apartheid-era cases.

Advocate Shaun Abrahams appeared before the commission on 14 May 2026. He rejected accusations from victims' families that he had neglected his duties or acted only under external pressure.

Abrahams said he authorised the prosecution of four former security branch officers in the Nokuthula Simelane murder case in March 2016 after a review of evidence and consultation with the family. He also submitted memoranda to reopen inquests into the deaths of Ahmed Timol and Neil Aggett.

The former NDPP, who led the authority from June 2015 to August 2018, argued that delays stemmed from long-standing institutional problems such as missing records and lack of investigative capacity. He pointed to the earlier prosecution of Eugene Terre'Blanche for bombings in North West as evidence of his commitment to post-TRC matters.

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Brigadier Abraham Nkhwashu testifying at Madlanga Commission, denying interference in Swart murder investigation.
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Sedibeng police commissioner denies interfering in Swart murder probe

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Brigadier Abraham Nkhwashu, Sedibeng District Commissioner, testified at the Madlanga Commission on April 22, 2026, denying allegations of aiding his brother-in-law Katiso “KT” Molefe in the investigation into engineer Armand Swart’s murder. Nkhwashu admitted visiting Molefe in prison but described it as a humanitarian act to deliver clothing. He apologised to Swart’s family and called for justice if Molefe is guilty.

The National Prosecuting Authority has appeared to step back from its earlier admission of political interference in apartheid-era prosecutions. This shift emerged during cross-examination at the Khampepe inquiry on 25 May. Former president Thabo Mbeki is also challenging a summons to testify before the same panel.

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Former acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe has denied receiving political instructions to remove prosecutor Anton Ackermann from Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases. Testifying at the Khampepe Commission on 7 April 2026, he described a rift over plans to arrest officials linked to the 1981 attempted poisoning of Frank Chikane. Mpshe noted that Ackermann was correct in hindsight, given the political context.

A parliamentary ad hoc committee has concluded that witness testimony reveals a serious institutional crisis in South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. The findings follow months of hearings into allegations of drug cartel infiltration.

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Former justice minister Michael Masutha told the Khampepe Commission that he met more than 250 relatives of apartheid-era victims after discovering they had not been consulted on Eugene de Kock's 2014 parole application.

Alhamisi, 7. Mwezi wa tano 2026, 16:55:23

Apartheid generals threatened TRC investigators at inquiry

Jumatano, 22. Mwezi wa nne 2026, 20:58:38

Former Scorpions boss denies halting TRC prosecutions at inquiry

Alhamisi, 16. Mwezi wa nne 2026, 00:54:43

Khampepe commission hears threats and challenges in TRC prosecutions

Jumatano, 15. Mwezi wa nne 2026, 00:27:10

Retired generals deny TRC interference at Khampepe inquiry

Ijumaa, 10. Mwezi wa nne 2026, 23:15:09

Imtiaz Cajee accuses deliberate ineptitude in TRC case delays

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