Ngcuka denies any political interference in TRC cases, cites lack of evidence and resources

By Johnathan Paoli

Former National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka has flatly rejected claims that he delayed or obstructed investigations into apartheid-era crimes.

He told the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry that decisions not to pursue Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases were mostly driven by a lack of evidence and severe resource constraints, not political interference or deliberate inaction.

Appearing before the commission on Monday, Ngcuka said he came voluntarily to account for his role during his tenure from 1998 to 2004, a period now under scrutiny for why many TRC cases remained unresolved for decades.

“Most importantly is that you are going to take people to court well knowing that you are going to lose. It would have been wrong. The evidence was just not enough for us to do that,” Ngcuka said.

Ngcuka is one of several former senior officials accused by victims’ families and civil society