PRESS RELEASE
To: All Media
ATT: News Editors, Human Rights Reporters
For Immediate Release
05 November 2025
Khampepe Commission to Begin Hearings on 10 November 2025
Statement by the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR)
The Khampepe Commission of Inquiry, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 29 May 2025 to investigate the political suppression of investigations and prosecutions of TRC cases, is scheduled to commence its public hearings with opening statements by interested parties on 10 November 2025 at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg.
The Commission is expected to first address preliminary procedural matters, including whether witnesses may be led by their own counsel other than the evidence leader, an issue that became contentious during the pre-hearing meeting on 27 October 2025. Two days have been set aside for opening statements by various parties.
Opening statements will be followed with oral evidence from an initial group of witnesses, including Lukhanyo Calata (son of the late Fort Calata), Thembi Simelane (sister of the late Nokuthula Simelane), former TRC Commissioners Yasmin Sooka and Dumisa Ntsebeza, former NDPPs Bulelani Ngcuka and Vusi Pikoli, former head of the PCLU Anton Ackermann and senior prosecutor, Advocate Chris Macadam.
In January 2025, 25 families and survivors and the FHR, brought an application to compel the President to establish a commission of inquiry into the interference in the investigation and prosecution of the TRC cases, together with a claim for constitutional damages. President Ramaphosa agreed to establish an inquiry and the Khampepe Commission was launched on 29 May 2025.
The Commission, established under the Commissions Act, is not a repetition of the TRC. It is not mandated to look into individual cases of gross human rights violations but is a quasi-judicial body tasked with inquiring into allegations of interference in the criminal justice system in respect of the TRC cases. This interference resulted in the blocking of hundreds of murder cases and other serious crimes from South Africa’s past from being taken forward.
The Commission is expected to live-stream its public hearings.
Media queries:
Foundation for Human Rights: Zaid Kimmie, zkimmie@fhr.org.za / 082 883 4934.
Webber Wentzel: Asmita Thakor, asmita.thakor@webberwentzel.com / 011 530 5000
End/
