The move comes amid growing pressure from the families of victims, some of whom claim political interference from high-ranking officials prevented the NPA from acting on cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

NPA Spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said a formal inquiry was necessary to determine whether undue influence was exerted on prosecutors within the justice system.

“There have been allegations of either political interference or pressure exerted on certain individuals within the prosecutorial components of the criminal justice system,” Mhaga said during a media briefing.

He stressed the importance of transparency and justice for the families affected.

“It’s only fair that the families of the apartheid-era crimes, who have a direct and substantial interest in the resolution of these matters, get to have answers. That way, they can find some form of closure,” he added.

The TRC, which operated in the late 1990s and early 2000s, identified numerous cases involving gross human rights violations where prosecution was recommended. However, more than two decades later, many of those cases remain unresolved, sparking renewed frustration and demands for accountability.

--ChannelAfrica--