Piper’s Coming: Victims of Apartheid Sue For Justice

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to begin negotiations shortly to settle a lawsuit filed last month by survivors of apartheid crimes and families of the victims, News24 reported.

The 20 complainants argued that survivors and victims’ families were denied justice despite the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations to prosecute perpetrators. They say the prosecutions were blocked due to political interference and a secret deal between the African National Congress party and officials of the former apartheid government.

The applicants are seeking $9 million in damages and the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the crimes of murder, torture, and abductions carried out by apartheid security forces against them or their relatives that have never been prosecuted, Bloomberg reported.

Among those named in the case, Ramaphosa, the police department, and the justice minister are no longer opposing the case. The National Prosecuting Authority, however, still is.

Negotiations will start on March 17. The judge has urged all parties to settle by the end of the month.

Former President Thabo Mbeki, whose administration is among those named in the suit,  has denied the accusations.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, set up by former President Nelson Mandela, recommended pursuing about 300 cases when it completed its work in the early 2000s. However, there have been only a handful of prosecutions since then.