Wednesday, April 21, 2004

More amnesties for South Africa?

Seems like the discussion of more amnesties in South Africa is back on the cards, surely not? Some say that Mbeki's inauguaration may be the place to announce pardons for prisoners. ThisDay newspaper suggested on Tuesday that former security policeman and assassin Eugene De Kock might qualify for a presidential pardon. The National Prosecuting Authority said today that it would not stop hunting apartheid-era criminals unless asked to do so by Parliament and that no new law was being considered. The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation released a press statement saying they were "deeply concerned" that ongoing negotiations might be going on with regards to amnesties, and that if so, it would undermine the achievements of the TRC. So what is going on? Doesn't sound good and further amnesties surely cannot be the answer. They would only further undermine the minimal respect for the law in South Africa and contribute further to impunity...

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