"Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, Faith;
Where there is despair, Hope;
Where there is darkness, Light;
Where there is sadness, Joy.
Lord, grant that I may not seek to be consoled
as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

-St. Francis

No. 1111.

26 July 1995

NO. 34 OF 1995: PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION ACT, 1995.

It is hereby notified that the President has assented to the following Act

which is hereby published for general information:-

ACT

To provide for the investigation and the establishment of as complete a picture

aspossible of the nature, causes and extent of gross violations of human rights

committed during the period from 1 March 1960 to the cut-off date contemplated

in the Constitution, within or outside the Republic, emanating from the

conflicts of the past, and the fate or whereabouts of the victims of such

violations; the granting of amnesty to persons who make full disclosure of all

the relevant facts relating to acts associated with a political objective

committed in the course of the conflicts of the past during the said period;

affording victims an opportunity to relate the violations they suffered; the

taking of measures aimed at the granting of reparation to, and the

rehabilitation and the restoration of the human and civil dignity of, victims

of violations of human rights; reporting to the Nation about such violations

and victims; the making of recommendations aimed at the prevention of the

commission of gross violations of human rights; and for the said purposes to

provide for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a

Committee on Human Rights Violations, a Committee on Amnesty and a Committee on

Reparation and Rehabilitation; and to confer certain powers on, assign certain

functions to and impose certain duties upon that Commission and those

Committees; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

SINCE the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (Act No. 200 of

1993), provides a historic bridge between the past of a deeply divided society

characterized by strife, conflict, untold suffering and injustice, and a future

founded on the recognition of human rights, democracy and peaceful co-existence

for all South Africans, irrespective of colour, race, class, belief or sex;

AND SINCE it is deemed necessary to establish the truth in relation to past

events as well as the motives for and circumstances in which gross violations

of human fights have occurred, and to make the findings known in order to

prevent a repetition of such acts in future;

AND SINCE the Constitution states that the pursuit of national unity, the

well-being of all South African citizens and peace require reconciliation

between the people of South Africa and the reconstruction of society;

AND SINCE the Constitution states that there is a need for understanding but

not for vengeance, a need for reparation but not for retaliation, a need for

ubuntu but not for victimization;

AND SINCE the Constitution states that in order to advance such reconciliation

and reconstruction amnesty shall be granted in respect of acts, omissions and

offences associated with political objectives committed in the course of the

conflicts of the past;

AND SINCE the Constitution provides that Parliament shall under the Constitution

adopt a law which determines a firm cut-off date, which shall be a date after 8

October 1990 and before the cut-off date envisaged in the Constitution, and

providing for the mechanisms, criteria and procedures, including tribunals, if

any, through which such amnesty shall be dealt with;

(English text signed by the President.)

(Assented to 19 July 1995.)

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, as

follows:-

CHAPTER 1

Interpretation and application

Definitions

1. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates-

(i) "act associated with a political objective" has the meaning ascribed

thereto in section 20(2) and (3); (ii)

(ii) "article" includes any evidence, book, document, file, object,

writing, recording or transcribed computer printout produced by

any mechanical or electronic device or any device by means of

which information is recorded, stored or transcribed; (xix)

(iii) "Commission" means the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

established by section 2; (ix)

(iv) "commissioner" means a member of the Commission appointed in terms

of section 7(2)(a); (viii)

(v) "committee" means the Committee on Human Rights Violations, the

Committee on Amnesty or the Committee on Reparation and

Rehabilitation, as the case may be; (vii)

(vi) "Constitution" means the Constitution of the Republic of South

Africa, 1993 (Act No. 200 of 1993); (iv)

(vii) "cut-off date" means the latest date allowed as the cut-off date

in terms of the Constitution as set out under the heading

"National Unity and Reconciliation"; (i)

(viii) "former state" means any state or territory which was established

by an Act of Parliament or by proclamation in terms of such an Act

prior to the commencement of the Constitution and the territory of

which now forms part of the Republic; (xvii)

(ix) "gross violation of human rights" means the violation of human

rights through-

(a) the killing, abduction, torture or severe ill-treatment of any

person; or

(b) any attempt, conspiracy, incitement, instigation, command or

procurement to commit an act referred to in paragraph (a),

which emanated from conflicts of the past and which was

committed during the period 1 March 1960 to the cut-off date

within or outside the Republic, and the commission of which

was advised, planned, directed, commanded or ordered, by any

person acting with a political motive; (v)

(x) "joint committee" means a joint committee of the Houses of

Parliament appointed in accordance with the Standing Orders of

Parliament for the purpose of considering matters referred to it

in terms of this Act; (iii)

(xi) "Minister" means the Minister of Justice; (x)

(xii) "prescribe" means prescribe by regulation made under section 40;

(xviii)

(xiii) "President" means the President of the Republic; (xi)

(xiv) "reparation" includes any form of compensation, ex gratia payment,

restitution, rehabilitation or recognition; (vi)

(xv) "Republic" means the Republic of South Africa referred to in

section 1(2) of the Constitution; (xii)

(xvi) "security forces" includes any full-time or part-time-

(a) member or agent of the South African Defence Force, the South

African Police, the National Intelligence Service, the Bureau

of State Security, the Department of Correctional Services, or

any of their organs;

(b) member or agent of a defence force, police force, intelligence

agency or prison service of any former state, or any of their

organs; (xvi)

(xvii) "State" means the State of the Republic; (xiv)

(xviii) "subcommittee" means any subcommittee established by the

Commission in terms of section 5(c); (xv)

(xix) "victims" includes-

(a) persons who, individually or together with one or more

persons, suffered harm in the form of physical or mental

injury, emotional suffering, pecuniary loss or a substantial

impairment of human rights-

(i) as a result of a gross violation of human rights; or

(ii) as a result of an act associated with a political

objective for which amnesty has been granted;

(b) persons who, individually or together with one or more

persons, suffered harm in the form of physical or mental

injury, emotional suffering, pecuniary loss or a substantial

impairment of human rights, as a result of such person

intervening to assist persons contemplated in paragraph (a)

who were in distress or to prevent victimization of such

persons; and

(c) such relatives or dependants of victims as may be prescribed.

(xiii)

(2) For the purposes of sections 10(1), (2) and (3) and II and Chapters 6

and 7 "Commission" shall be construed as including a reference to "committee" or

subcommittee", as the case may be, and "Chairperson", "Vice-Chairperson" or

commissioner" shall be construed as including a reference to the chairperson,

vice-chairperson or a member of a committee or subcommittee, as the case may be.

CHAPTER 2

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Establishment and seat of Truth and Reconciliation Commission

2. (1) There is hereby established a juristic person to be known as the

Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

(2) The seat of the Commission shall be determined by the President.

Objectives of Commission

3. (1) The objectives of the Commission shall be to promote national unity

and reconciliation in a spirit of understanding which transcends the conflicts

and divisions of the past by-

(a) establishing as complete a picture as possible of the causes,

nature and extent of the gross violations of human rights which

were committed during the period from I March 1960 to the cut-off

date, including the antecedents, circumstances, factors and context

of such violations, as well as the perspectives of the victims and

the motives and perspectives of the persons responsible for the

commission of the violations, by conducting investigations and

holding hearings;

(b) facilitating the granting of amnesty to persons who make full

disclosure of all the relevant facts relating to acts associated

with a political objective and comply with the requirements of this

Act;

(c) establishing and making known the fate or whereabouts of victims

and by restoring the human and civil dignity of such victims by

granting them an opportunity to relate their own accounts of the

violations of which they are the victims, and by recommending

reparation measures in respect of them;

(d) compiling a report providing as comprehensive an account as

possible of the activities and findings of the Commission

contemplated in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), and which contains

recommendations of measures to prevent the future violations of

human rights.

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) shall not be interpreted as limiting

the power of the Commission to investigate or make recommendations concerning

any matter with a view to promoting or achieving national unity and

reconciliation within the context of this Act.

(3) In order to achieve the objectives of the Commission-

(a) the Committee on Human Rights Violations, as contemplated in

Chapter 3, shall deal, among other things, with matters pertaining

to investigations of gross violations of human rights;

(b) the Committee on Amnesty, as contemplated in Chapter 4, shall deal

with matters relating to amnesty;

(c) the Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation, as contemplated in

Chapter 5, shall deal with matters referred to it relating to

reparations;

(d) the investigating unit referred to in section 5(d) shall perform

the investigations contemplated in section 28(4)(a); and

(e) the subcommittees shall exercise, perform and carry out the powers,

functions and duties conferred upon, assigned to or imposed upon

them by the Commission.

Functions of Commission

4. The functions of the Commission shall be to achieve its objectives, and

to that end the Commission shall-

(a) facilitate, and where necessary initiate or coordinate, inquiries

into-

(i) gross violations of human rights, including violations which

were part of a systematic pattern of abuse;

(ii) the nature, causes and extent of gross violations of human

rights, including the antecedents, circumstances, factors,

context, motives and perspectives which led to such violations;

(iii) the identity of all persons, authorities, institutions and

organisations involved in such violations;

(iv) the question whether such violations were the result of

deliberate planning on the part of the State or a former state

or any of their organs, or of any political organisation,

liberation movement or other group or individual; and

(v) accountability, political or otherwise, for any such violation;

(b) facilitate, and initiate or coordinate, the gathering of information

and the receiving of evidence from any person, including persons

claiming to be victims of such violations or the representatives of

such victims, which establish the identity of victims of such

violations, their fate or present whereabouts and the nature and

extent of the harm suffered by such victims;

(c) facilitate and promote the granting of amnesty in respect of acts

associated with political objectives, by receiving from persons

desiring to make a full disclosure of all the relevant facts

relating to such acts, applications for the granting of amnesty in

respect of such acts, and transmitting such applications to the

Committee on Amnesty for its decision, and by publishing decisions

granting amnesty, in the Gazette;

(d) determine what articles have been destroyed by any person in order to

conceal violations of human rights or acts associated with a

political objective;

(e) prepare a comprehensive report which sets out its activities and

findings, based on factual and objective information and evidence

collected or received by it or placed at its disposal;

(f) make recommendations to the President with regard to-

(i) the policy which should be followed or measures which should be

taken with regard to the granting of reparation to victims or

the taking of other measures aimed at rehabilitating and

restoring the human and civil dignity of victims;

(ii) measures which should be taken to grant urgent interim

reparation to victims;

(g) make recommendations to the Minister with regard to the development of

a limited witness protection programme for the purposes of this Act;

(h) make recommendations to the President with regard to the creation of

institutions conducive to a stable and fair society and the

institutional, administrative and legislative measures which should

be taken or introduced in order to prevent the commission of

violations of human rights.

Powers of Commission

5. In order to achieve its objectives and to perform its functions the

Commission shall have the power to-

(a) determine the seat, if any, of every committee;

(b) establish such offices as it may deem necessary for the performance of

its functions;

(c) establish subcommittees to exercise, carry out or perform any of the

powers, duties and functions assigned to them by the Commission;

(d) conduct any investigation or hold any hearing it may deem necessary

and establish the investigating unit referred to in section 28;

(e) refer specific or general matters to, give guidance and instructions

to, orreview the decisions of, any committee or subcommittee or the

investigating unit with regard to the exercise of its powers, the

performance of its functions and the carrying out of its duties, the

working procedures which should be followed and the divisions which

should be set up by any committee in order to deal effectively with

the work of the committee: Provided that no decision, or the process

of arriving at such a decision, of the Committee on Amnesty regarding

any application for amnesty shall be reviewed by the Commission;

direct any committee or subcommittee to make information which it has

in its possession available to any other committee or subcommittee;

(g) direct the submission of and receive reports or interim reports from

any committee or subcommittee;

(h) have the administrative and incidental work connected with the

exercise of its powers, the execution of its duties or the

performance of its functions carried out by persons-

(i) employed or appointed by it;

(ii) seconded to its service by any department of State at the

request of the Commission and after consultation with the

Public Service Commission;

(iii) appointed by it for the performance of specified tasks;

(i) in consultation with the Minister and through diplomatic channels,

obtain permission from the relevant authority of a foreign country to

receive evidence or gather information in that country;

(j) enter into an agreement with any person, including any department of

State, in terms of which the Commission will be authorized to make

use of any of the facilities, equipment or personnel belonging to or

under the control or in the employment of such person or department;

(k) recommend to the President that steps be taken to obtain an order

declaring a person to be dead;

(l) hold meetings at any place within or outside the Republic;

(m) on its own initiative or at the request of any interested person

inquire or investigate into any matter, including the disappearance

of any person or group of persons.

Certain powers shall be exercised in consultation with Minister

6. Subject to the provisions of section 45, any power referred to in section

5(a), (b) and (c), and, if it is to be exercised outside the Republic, any

power referred to in sections 5(d) and (1), 10(1) and 29(1), shall be exercised

in consultation with the Minister.

Constitution of Commission

7. (1) The Commission shall consist of not fewer than 11 and not more than

17 commissioners, as may be determined by the President in consultation with

the Cabinet.

(2) (a) The President shall appoint the commissioners in consultation with

the Cabinet.

(b) The commissioners shall be fit and proper persons who are impartial and

who do not have a high political profile: Provided that not more than two

persons who are not South African citizens may be appointed as commissioners.

(3) The President shall make the appointment of the commissioners known by

proclamation in the Gazette.

(4) The President shall designate one of the commissioners as the

Chairperson, and another as the Vice-Chairperson, of the Commission.

(5) A commissioner appointed in terms of subsection (2)(a) shall, subject to

the provisions of subsections (6) and (7), hold office for the duration of the

Commission.

(6) A commissioner may at any time resign as commissioner by tendering his

or her resignation in writing to the President.

(7) The President may remove a commissioner from office on the grounds of

misbehaviour, incapacity or incompetence, as determined by the joint committee

and upon receipt of an address from the National Assembly and an address from

the Senate.

(8) If any commissioner tenders his or her resignation under subsection (6),

or is removed from office under subsection (7), or dies, the President in

consultation with the Cabinet, may fill the vacancy by appointing a person for

the unexpired portion of the term of office of his or her predecessor or may

allow the seat vacated as a result of a resignation, removal from office or

death to remain vacant.

Acting Chairperson of Commission

8. If both the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are absent or unable to

perform their duties, the other commissioners shall from among their number

nominate an Acting Chairperson for the duration of such absence or incapacity.

Conditions of service, remuneration, allowances and other benefits of staff of

Commission

9. (1) The persons appointed or employed by the Commission who are not

officials of the State, shall receive such remuneration, allowances and other

employment benefits and shall be appointed or employed on such terms and

conditions and for such periods as the Commission with the approval of the

Minister, granted in concurrence with the Minister of Finance, may determine.

(2) (a) A document setting out the remuneration, allowances and other

conditions of employment determined by the Commission in terms of subsection

(1), shall be tabled in Parliament within 14 days after each such determination.

(b) If Parliament disapproves of any determination, such determination shall

cease to be of force to the extent to which it is so disapproved.

(c) If a determination ceases to be of force as contemplated in paragraph

(b)-

(i) anything done in terms of such determination up to the date on which

such determination ceases to be of force shall be deemed to have

been validly done; and

(ii) any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or

incurred up to the said date under and by virtue of such

determination, shall lapse upon the said date.

Meetings, procedure at and quorum for meetings of Commission and recording of

proceedings

10. (1) A meeting of the Commission shall be held at a time and place

determined by the Chairperson of the Commission or, in the absence or inability

of such Chairperson, by the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission or, in the

absence or inability of both such Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, by the

Acting Chairperson of the Commission.

(2) Subject to section 40, the Commission shall have the power to determine

the procedure for its meetings, including the manner in which decisions shall

be taken.

(3) The Commission shall cause a record to be kept of its proceedings.

(4) The quorum for the first meeting of the Commission shall be two less

than the total number of the Commission.

Principles to govern actions of Commission when dealing with victims

11. When dealing with victims the actions of the Commission shall be guided

by the following principles:

(a) Victims shall be treated with compassion and respect for their

dignity;

(b) victims shall be treated equally and without discrimination of any

kind, including race, colour, gender, sex, sexual orientation,

age, language, religion, nationality, political or other opinion,

cultural beliefs or practices, property, birth or family status,

ethnic or social origin or disability;

(c) procedures for dealing with applications by victims shall be

expeditious, fair, inexpensive and accessible;

(d) victims shall be informed through the press and any other medium of

their rights in seeking redress through the Commission, including

information of-

(i) the role of the Commission and the scope of its activities;

(ii) the right of victims to have their views and submissions

presented and considered at appropriate stages of the inquiry;

(e) appropriate measures shall be taken in order to minimize

inconvenience to victims and, when necessary, to protect their

privacy, to ensure their safety as well as that of their families

and of witnesses testifying on their behalf, and to protect them

from intimidation;

(f) appropriate measures shall be taken to allow victims to communicate

in the language of their choice;

(g) informal mechanisms for the resolution of disputes, including

mediation, arbitration and any procedure provided for by customary

law and practice shall be applied, where appropriate, to facilitate

reconciliation and redress for victims.

CHAPTER 3

Investigation of Human Rights Violations

Committee on Human Rights Violations

12. There is hereby established a committee to be known as the Committee on

Human Rights Violations, which shall in this Chapter be referred to as the

Committee.

Constitution of Committee

13. (1) The Committee shall consist of-

(a) (i) a Chairperson; and

(ii) two Vice-Chairpersons, who shall be commissioners designated by

the Commission;

(b) such other commissioners as may be appointed by the Commission; and

(c) not more than three other members.

(2) The Commission shall appoint, as the members referred to in subsection

(1)(c), South African citizens who are fit and proper persons and broadly

representative of the South African community and shall, when making such

appointments, give preference to persons possessing knowledge of the content

and application of human rights or of investigative or fact-finding procedures.

Powers, duties and functions of Committee

14. (1) In addition to the powers, duties and functions conferred on,

imposed upon and assigned to it in this Act, and for the purpose of achieving

the objectives of the Commission, referred to in section 3(1)(a), (c) and (d)-

(a) the Committee shall-

(i) institute the inquiries referred to in section 4(a);

(ii) gather the information and receive the evidence referred to in

section 4(b);

(iii) determine the facts contemplated in section 4(d);

(iv) take into account the gross violations of human rights for

which indemnity has been granted during the period between 1

March 1960 and the date of commencement of this Act or for

which prisoners were released or had their sentences remitted

for the sake of reconciliation and for the finding of peaceful

solutions during that period;

(v) record allegations and complaints of gross violations of human

rights;

(b) the Committee may-

(i) collect or receive from any organisation, commission or person,

articles relating to gross violations of human rights;

(ii) make recommendations to the Commission with regard to the

matters referred to in section 4(f), (g) or (h);

(iii) make information which is in its possession available to a

committee referred to in Chapter 4 or 5, a subcommittee or the

investigating unit;

(iv) submit to the Commission interim reports indicating the progress

made by the Committee with its activities or with regard to any

other particular matter;

(v) exercise the powers referred to in Chapters 6 and 7.

(2) The Committee shall at the conclusion of its functions submit to the

Commission a comprehensive report of all its activities and findings in

connection with the performance of its functions and the carrying out of its

duties in terms of this Act.

Referrals to Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation

15. (1) When the Committee finds that a gross violation of human rights has

been committed and if the Committee is of the opinion that a person is a victim

of such violation, it shall refer the matter to the Committee on Reparation and

Rehabilitation for its consideration in terms of section 26.

(2) After a referral to the Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation has

been made by the Committee in terms of subsection (1), it shall, at the request

of the Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation, furnish that Committee with

all the evidence and other information relating to the victim concerned or

conduct such further investigation or hearing as the said Committee may require.

CHAPTER 4

Amnesty mechanisms and procedures

Committee on Amnesty

16. There is hereby established a committee to be known as the Committee on

Amnesty, which shall in this Chapter be referred to as the Committee.

Constitution of Committee

17. (1) The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and

three other members who are fit and proper persons, appropriately qualified,

South African citizens and broadly representative of the South African

community.

(2) The President shall appoint the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, one

other person and, after consultation with the Commission, two commissioners as

members of the Committee.

(3) The Chairperson of the Committee shall be-

(a) a judge as defined in section 1(1) of the Judges' Remuneration and

Conditions of Employment Act, 1989 (Act No. 88 of 1989); or

(b) a judge who has been discharged from active service in terms of

section 3 of the said Act.

(4) Any vacancies in the Committee shall be filled in accordance with this

section.

Applications for granting of amnesty

18. (1) Any person who wishes to apply for amnesty in respect of any act,

omission or offence on the grounds that it is an act associated with a

political objective, shall within 12 months from the date of the proclamation

referred to in section 7(3), or such extended period as may be prescribed,

submit such an application to the Commission in the prescribed form.

(2) The Committee shall give priority to applications of persons in custody

and shall prescribe measures in respect of such applications after consultation

with the Minister and the Minister of Correctional Services.

Committee shall consider applications for amnesty

19. (1) Upon receipt of any application for amnesty, the Committee may

return the application to the applicant and give such directions in respect of

the completion and submission of the application as may be necessary or request

the applicant to provide such further particulars as it may deem necessary.

(2) The Committee shall investigate the application and make such enquiries

as it may deem necessary: Provided that the provisions of section 30(2) shall,

with the necessary changes, apply in respect of such investigation.

(3) After such investigation, the Committee may-

(a) (i) inform the applicant that the application, judged on the

particulars or further particulars contained in the application or

provided by the applicant or revealed as a result of enquiries made by

the Committee, if any, does not relate to an act associated with a

political objective;

(ii) afford the applicant the opportunity to make a further

submission; and

(iii) decide whether the application, judged on the particulars

referred to in subparagraph (i), and in such further

submission, relates to such an act associated with a

political objective, and if it is satisfied that the

application does not relate to such an act, in the

absence of the applicant and without holding a hearing

refuse the application and inform the applicant

accordingly; or

(b) if it is satisfied that-

(i) the requirements mentioned in section 20(i) have been

complied with;

(ii) there is no need for a hearing; and

(iii) the act, omission or offence to which the application

relates, does not constitute a gross violation of human

rights, in the absence of the applicant and without

holding a hearing, grant amnesty and inform the applicant

accordingly.

(4) If an application has not been dealt with in terms of subsection (3),

the Committee shall conduct a hearing as contemplated in Chapter 6 and shall,

subject to the provisions of section 33-

(a) in the prescibed manner, notify the applicant and any victim or

person implicated, or having an interest in the application, of

the place where and the time when the application will be heard

and considered;

(b) inform the persons referred to in paragraph (a) of their right to be

present at the hearing and to testify, adduce evidence and

submit any article to be taken into consideration;

(c) deal with the application in terms of section 20 or 21 by granting

or refusing amnesty.

(5) (a) The Committee shall, for the purpose of considering and deciding

upon an application referred to in subsection (1), have the same powers as

those conferred upon the Commission in section 5(l) and (m) and Chapters 6 and

7.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 18(1), the Committee may

consider jointly the individual applications in respect of any particular act,

omission or offence to which such applications relate.

(6) If the act or omission which is the subject of an application under

section 18 constitutes the ground of any claim in civil proceedings instituted

against the person who submitted that application, the court hearing that claim

may at the request of such person, if it is satisfied that the other parties to

such proceedings have been informed of the request and afforded the opportunity

to address the court or to make further submissions in this regard, suspend

those proceedings pending the consideration and disposal of the application.

(7) If the person who submitted an application under section 18 is charged

with any offence constituted by the act or omission to which the application

relates, or is standing trial upon a charge of having committed such an

offence, the Committee may request the appropriate authority to postpone the

proceedings pending the consideration and disposal of the application for

amnesty.

(8) (a) Subject to the provisions of section 33, the applications,

documentation in connection therewith, further information and evidence

obtained before and during an investigation by the Commission, the

deliberations conducted in order to come to a decision or to conduct a hearing

contemplated in section 33, shall be confidential.

(b) Subject to the provisions of section 33, the confidentiality referred

to in paragraph (a) shall lapse when the Commission decides to release such

information or when the hearing commences.

Granting of amnesty and effect thereof

20. (1) If the Committee, after considering an application for amnesty, is

satisfied that-

(a) the application complies with the requirements of this Act;

(b) the act, omission or offence to which the application relates is an

act associated with a political objective committed in the course

of the conflicts of the past in accordance with the provisions of

subsections (2) and (3); and

(c) the applicant has made a full disclosure of all relevant facts, it

shall grant amnesty in respect of that act, omission or offence.

(2) In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates, "act associated

with a political objective" means any act or omission which constitutes an

offence or delict which, according to the criteria in subsection (3), is

associated with a political objective, and which was advised, planned,

directed, commanded, ordered or committed within or outside the Republic during

the period I March 1960 to the cut-off date, by-

(a) any member or supporter of a publicly known political organisation or

liberation movement on behalf of or in support of such organisation

or movement, bona fide in furtherance of a political struggle waged

by such organisation or movement against the State or any former

state or another publicly known political organisation or

liberation movement;

(b) any employee of the State or any former state or any member of the

security forces of the State or any former state in the course and

scope of his or her duties and within the scope of his or her

express or implied authority directed against a publicly known

political organisation or liberation movement engaged in a

political struggle against the State or a former state or against

any members or supporters of such organisation or movement, and

which was committed bona fide with the object of countering or

otherwise resisting the said struggle;

(c) any employee of the State or any former state or any member of the

security forces of the State or any former state in the course and

scope of his or her duties and within the scope of his or her

express or implied authority directed-

(i) in the case of the State, against any former state; or

(ii) in the case of a former state, against the State or any other

former state, whilst engaged in a political struggle against each

other or against any employee of the State or such former state, as

the case may be, and which was committed bona fide with the object

of countering or otherwise resisting the said struggle;

(d) any employee or member of a publicly known political organisation or

liberation movement in the course and scope of his or her duties

and within the scope of his or her express or implied authority

directed against the State or any former state or any publicly

known political organisation or liberation movement engaged in a

political struggle against that political organisation or

liberation movement or against members of the security forces of

the State or any former state or members or supporters of such

publicly known political organisation or liberation movement, and

which was committed bona fide in furtherance of the said struggle;

(e) any person in the performance of a coup d' etat to take over the

government of any former state, or in any attempt thereto;

(f) any person referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d), who on

reasonable grounds believed that he or she was acting in the course

and scope of his or her duties and within the scope of his or her

express or implied authority;

(g) any person who associated himself or herself with any act or omission

committed for the purposes referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c),

(d), (e) and (f).

(3) Whether a particular act, omission or offence contemplated in subsection

(2) is an act associated with a political objective, shall be decided with

reference to the following criteria:

(a) The motive of the person who committed the act, omission or offence;

(b) the context in which the act, omission or offence took place, and in

particular whether the act, omission or offence was committed in the

course of or as part of a political uprising, disturbance or event,

or in reaction thereto;

(c) the legal and factual nature of the act, omission or offence,

including the gravity of the act, omission or offence;

(d) the object or objective of the act, omission or offence, and in

particular whether the act, omission or offence was primarily

directed at a political opponent or State property or personnel or

against private property or individuals;

(e) whether the act, omission or offence was committed in the execution

of an order of, or on behalf of, or with the approval of, the

organisation, institution, liberation movement or body of which the

person who committed the act was a member, an agent or a supporter;

and

(f) the relationship between the act, omission or offence and the

political objective pursued, and in particular the directness and

proximity of the relationship and the proportionality of the act,

omission or offence to the objective pursued,

but does not include any act, omission or offence committed by any

person referred to in subsection (2) who acted-

(i) for personal gain: Provided that an act, omission or offence by

any person who acted and received money or anything of value as an

informer of the State or a former state, political organisation or liberation

movement, shall not be excluded only on the grounds of that person having

received money or anything of value for his or her information; or

(ii) out of personal malice, ill-will or spite, directed against

the victim of the acts committed.

(4) In applying the criteria contemplated in subsection (3), the Committee

shall take into account the criteria applied in the Acts repealed by section 48.

(5) The Commission shall inform the person concerned and, if possible, any

victim, of the decision of the Committee to grant amnesty to such person in

respect of a specified act, omission or offence and the Committee shall submit

to the Commission a record of the proceedings, which may, subject to the

provisions of this Act, be used by the Commission.

(6) The Committee shall forthwith by proclamation in the Gazette make known

the full names of any person to whom amnesty has been granted, together with

sufficient information to identify the act, omission or offence in respect of

which amnesty has been granted.

(7) (a) No person who has been granted amnesty in respect of an act,

ommission or offence shall be criminally or civilly liable in respect of such

act, omission or offence and no body or organisation or the State shall be

liable, and no person shall be vicariously liable, for any such act, omission

or offence.

(b) Where amnesty is granted to any person in respect of any act, omission

or offence, such amnesty shall have no influence upon the criminal liability of

any other person contingent upon the liability of the first-mentioned person.

(c) No person, organisation or state shall be civilly or vicariously liable

for an act, omission or offence committed between 1 March 1960 and the cut-off

date by a person who is deceased, unless amnesty could not have been granted in

terms of this Act in respect of such an act, omission or offence.

(8) If any person-

(a) has been charged with and is standing trial in respect of an offence

constituted by the act or omission in respect of which amnesty is

granted in terms of this section; or

(b) has been convicted of, and is awaiting the passing of sentence in

respect of, or is in custody for the purpose of serving a

sentence imposed in respect of, an offence constituted by

the act or omission in respect of which amnesty is so

granted, the criminal proceedings shall forthwith upon

publication of the proclamation referred to in subsection

(6) become void or the sentence so imposed shall upon

such publication lapse and the person so in custody shall forthwith

be released.

(9) If any person has been granted amnesty in respect of any act or omission

which formed the ground of a civil judgment which was delivered at any time

before the granting of the amnesty, the publication of the proclamation in

terms of subsection (6) shall not affect the operation of the judgment in so

far as it applies to that person.

(10) Where any person has been convicted of any offence constituted by an

act or omission associated with a political objective in respect of which

amnesty has been granted in terms of this Act, any entry or record of the

conviction shall be deemed to be expunged from all official documents or

records and the conviction shall for all purposes, including the application of

any Act of Parliament or any other law, be deemed not to have taken place:

Provided that the Committee may recommend to the authority concerned the taking

of such measures as it may deem necessary for the protection of the safety of

the public.

Refusal of amnesty and effect thereof

21. (1) If the Committee has refused any application for amnesty, it shall

as soon as practicable notify-

(a) the person who applied for amnesty;

(b) any person who is in relation to the act, omission or offence

concerned, a victim; and

(c) the Commission, in writing of its decision and the reasons for its

refusal.

(2) (a) If any criminal or civil proceedings were suspended pending a

decision on an application for amnesty, and such application is refused, the

court concerned shall be notified accordingly.

(b) No adverse inference shall be drawn by the court concerned from the fact

that the proceedings which were suspended pending a decision on an application

for amnesty, are subsequently resumed.

Referrals to Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation

22. (1) Where amnesty is granted to any person in respect of any act,

omission or offence and the Committee is of the opinion that a person is a

victim in relation to that act, omission or offence, it shall refer the matter

to the Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation for its consideration in

terms of section 26.

(2) Where amnesty is refused by the Committee and if it is of the opinion

that-

(a) the act, omission or offence concerned constitutes a gross violation

of human rights; and

(b) a person is a victim in the matter, it shall refer the matter to the

Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation for consideration in

terms of section 26.

CHAPTER 5

Reparation and rehabilitation of victims

Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation

23. There is hereby established a committee to be known as the Committee on

Reparation and Rehabilitation, which shall in this Chapter be referred to as the

Committee.

Constitution of Committee

24. (1) The Committee shall consist of-

(a) a Chairperson;

(b) a Vice-Chairperson;

(c) not more than five other members; and

(d) in addition to the commissioners referred to in subsection (2), such

other commissioners as may be appointed to the Committee by the

Commission.

(2) Commissioners designated by the Commission shall be the Chairperson and

Vice-Chairperson of the Committee.

(3) The Commission shall for the purpose of subsection (1)(c) appoint as

members of the Committee fit and proper persons who are suitably qualified,

South African citizens and broadly representative of the South African

community.

Powers, duties and functions of Committee

25. (1) In addition to the powers, duties and functions in this Act and for

the purpose of achieving the Commission's objectives referred to in section

3(1)(c) and (d)-

(a) the Committee shall-

(i) consider matters referred to it by-

(aa) the Commission in terms of section 5(e);

(bb) the Committee on Human Rights Violations in terms of

section 15(1); and

(cc) the Committee on Amnesty in terms of section 22(1);

(ii) gather the evidence referred to in section 4(b);

(b) the Committee may-

(i) make recommendations which may include urgent interim measures

as contemplated in section 4(f)(ii), as to appropriate measures

of reparation to victims;

(ii) make recommendations referred to in section 4(h);

(iii) prepare and submit to the Commission interim reports in

connection with its activities;

(iv) may exercise the powers referred to in section 5(l) and (m) and

Chapters 6 and 7.

(2) The Committee shall submit to the Commission a final comprehensive

report on its activities, findings and recommendations.

Applications for reparation

26. (1) Any person who is of the opinion that he or she has suffered harm as

a result of a gross violation of human rights may apply to the Committee for

reparation in the prescribed form.

(2) (a) The Committee shall consider an application contemplated in

subsection (1) and may exercise any of the powers conferred upon it by section

25.

(b) In any matter referred to the Committee, and in respect of which a

finding as to whether an act, omission or offence constitutes a gross violation

of human rights is required, the Committee shall refer the matter to the

Committee on Human Rights Violations to deal with the matter in terms of

section 14.

(3) If upon consideration of any matter or application submitted to it under

subsection (1) and any evidence received or obtained by it concerning such

matter or application, the Committee is of the opinion that the applicant is a

victim, it shall, having regard to criteria as prescribed, make recommendations

as contemplated in section 25(1)(b)(i) in an endeavour to restore the human and

civil dignity of such victim.

Parliament to consider recommendations with regard to reparation of victims

27. (1) The recommendations referred to in section 4(f)(i) shall be

considered by the President with a view to making recommendations to Parliament

and making regulations.

(2) The recommendations referred to in subsection (1) shall be considered by

the joint committee and the decisions of the said joint committee shall, when

approved by Parliament, be implemented by the President by making regulations.

(3) The regulations referred to in subsection (2)-

(a) shall-

(i) determine the basis and conditions upon which reparation shall

be granted;

(ii) deter-mine the authority responsible for the application of the

regulations;

and

(b) may-

(i) provide for the revision and, in appropriate cases, the

discontinuance or reduction of any reparation;

(ii) prohibit the cession, assignment or attachment of any reparation

in terms of the regulations, or the right to any such reparation;

(iii) determine that any reparation received in terms of the

regulations shall not form part of the estate of the recipient

should such estate be sequestrated; and

(iv) provide for any other matter which the President may deem fit to

prescribe in order to ensure an efficient application of the

regulations.

(4) The joint committee may also advise the President in respect of measures

that should be taken to grant urgent interim reparation to victims.

CHAPTER 6

Investigations and hearings by Commission

Commission may establish investigating unit

28. (1) The Commission may establish an investigating unit which shall

consist of such persons, including one or more commissioners, as may be

determined by the Commission.

(2) The period of appointment of such members shall be determined by the

Commission at the time of appointment, but such period may be extended or

curtailed by the Commission.

(3) The Commission shall appoint a commissioner as the head of the

investigating unit.

(4) (a) The investigating unit shall investigate any matter failing within

the scope of the Commission's powers, functions and duties, subject to the

directions of the Commission, and shall at the request of a committee

investigate any matter failing within the scope of the powers, functions and

duties of that committee, subject to the directions of the committee.

(b) The investigating unit shall in the performance of its functions follow

such procedure as may be determined by the Commission or the committee

concerned, as the case may be.

(5) Subject to section 33, no article or information obtained by the

investigating unit shall be made public, and no person except a member of the

investigating unit, the Commission, the committee concerned or a member of the

staff of the Commission shall have access to such article or information until

such time as the Commission or the committee determines that it may be made

public or until the commencement of any hearing in terms of this Act which is

not held behind closed doors.

Powers of Commission with regard to investigations and hearings

29. (1) The Commission may for the purposes of or in connection with the

conduct of an investigation or the holding of a hearing, as the case may be-

(a) at any time before the commencement or in the course of such

investigation or hearing conduct an inspection in loco;

(b) by notice in writing call upon any person who is in possession of or

has the custody of or control over any article or other thing which

in the opinion of the Commission is relevant to the subject matter of

the investigation or hearing to produce such article or thing to the

Commission, and the Commission may inspect and, subject to subsection

(3), retain any article or other thing so produced for a reasonable

time;

(c) by notice in writing call upon any person to appear before the

Commission and to give evidence or to answer questions relevant to

the subject matter of the hearing;

(d) in accordance with section 32 seize any article or thing referred to

in paragraph (b) which is relevant to the subject matter of the

investigation or hearing.

(2) A notice referred to in subsection (1) shall specify the time when and

the place where the person to whom it is directed shall appear, shall be signed

by a commissioner, shall be served by a member of the staff of the Commission

or by a sheriff, by delivering a copy thereof to the person concerned or by

leaving it at such person's last known place of residence or business, and

shall specify the reason why the article is to be produced or the evidence is

to be given.

(3) If the Commission is of the opinion that the production of any article

in the possesion or custody or under the control of the State, any department

of State, the Auditor-General or any Attorney-General may adversely affect any

intended or pending judicial proceedings or the conduct of any investigation

carried out with a view to the institution of judicial proceedings, the

Commission shall take steps aimed at the prevention of any undue delay in or

the disruption of such investigation or proceedings.

(4) The Commission may require any person who in compliance with a

requirement in terms of this section appears before it, to take the oath or to

make an affirmation and may through the Chairperson or any member of the staff

of the Commission administer the oath to or accept an affirmation from such

person.

(5) No person other than a member of the staff of the Commission or any

person required to produce any article or to give evidence shall be entitled or

be permitted to attend any investigation conducted in terms of this section,

and the Commission may, having due regard to the principles of openness and

transparency, declare that any article produced or information submitted at

such investigation shall not be made public until the Commission determines

otherwise or, in the absence of such a determination, until the article is

produced at a hearing in terms of this Act, or at any proceedings in any court

of law.

Procedure to be followed at investigations and hearings of Commission,

committees and subcommittees

30. (1) The Commission and any committee or subcommittee shall in any

investigation or hearing follow the prescribed procedure or, if no procedure

has been prescribed, the procedure determined by the Commission, or, in the

absence of such a determination, in the case of a committee or subcommittee the

procedure determined by the committee or subcommittee, as the case may be.

(2) If during any investigation by or any hearing before the Commission-

(a) any person is implicated in a manner which may be to his detriment;

(b) the Commission contemplates making a decision which may be to the

detriment of a person who has been so implicated;

(c) it appears that any person may have suffered harm as a result of a

gross violation of human rights, the Commission shall, if such

person is available, afford him or her an opportunity to submit

representations to the Commission within a specified time with

regard to the matter under consideration or to give evidence at a

hearing of the Commission.

Compellability of witnesses and inadmissibility of incriminating evidence given

before Commission

31. (1) Any person who is questioned by the Commission in the exercise of

its powers in terms of this Act, or who has been subpoenaed to give evidence or

to produce any article at a hearing of the Commission shall, subject to the

provisions of subsections (2), (3) and (5), be compelled to produce any article

or to answer any question put to him or her with regard to the subject-matter

of the hearing notwithstanding the fact that the article or his or her answer

may incriminate him or her.

(2) A person referred to in subsection (1) shall only be compelled to answer

a question or to produce an article which may incriminate him or her if the

Commission has issued an order to that effect, after the Commission-

(a) has consulted with the attorney-general who has jurisdiction;

(b) has satisfied itself that to require such information from such a

person is reasonable, necessary and justifiable in an open and

democratic society based on freedom and equality; and

(c) has satisfied itself that such a person has refused or is likely to

refuse to answer a question or produce an article on the grounds

that such an answer or article might incriminate him or her.

(3) Any incriminating answer or information obtained or incriminating

evidence directly or indirectly derived from a questioning in terms of

subsection (1) shall not be admissible as evidence against the person concerned

in criminal proceedings in a court of law or before any body or institution

established by or under any law: Provided that incriminating evidence arising

from such questioning shall be admissible in criminal proceedings where the

person is arraigned on a charge of perjury or a charge contemplated in section

39(d)(ii) of this Act or in section 319(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1955

(Act No. 56 of 1955).

(4) Subject to the provisions of this section, the law regarding privilege

as applicable to a witness summoned to give evidence in a criminal case in a

court of law shall apply in relation to the questioning of a person in terms of

subsection (1).

(5) Any person appearing before the Commission by virtue of the provisions

of subsection (1) shall be entitled to peruse any article referred to in that

subsection, which was produced by him or her, as may be reasonably necessary to

refresh his or her memory.

Entry upon premises, search for and seizure and removal of certain articles or

other things

32. (1) Any commissioner, member of the staff of the Commission or police

officer authorized thereto by a commissioner may on the authority of an entry

warrant, issued in terms of subsection (2), enter upon any premises in or upon

which any article or thing-

(a) which is concerned with or is upon reasonable grounds suspected to be

concerned with any matter which is the subject of any

investigation in terms of this Act;

(b) which contains, or is upon reasonable grounds suspected to contain,

information with regard to any such matter, is or is upon

reasonable grounds suspected to be, and may on the authority of a

search warrant, issued in terms of subsection (2)-

(i) inspect and search such premises and there make such inquiries

as he or she may deem necessary;

(ii) examine any article or thing found in or upon such premises;

(iii) request from the person who is in control of such premises

or in whose possession or under whose control any article or

thing is when it is found, or who is upon reasonable grounds

believed to have information with regard to any article or

thing, an explanation or information;

(iv) make copies of or extracts from any such article found upon

or in such premises;

(v) seize any article or thing found upon or in such premises

which he or she upon reasonable grounds suspects to be an

article or thing mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b);

(vi) after having issued a receipt in respect thereof remove any

article or thing found on such premises and suspected upon

reasonable grounds to be an article or thing mentioned in

paragraph (a) or (b), and retain such article or thing for a

reasonable period for the purpose of further examination or,

in the case of such article, the making of copies thereof or

extracts therefrom: Provided that any article or thing that

has been so removed, shall be returned as soon as possible

after the purpose of such removal has been accomplished.

(2) An entry or search warrant referred to in subsection (1) shall be issued

by a judge of the Supreme Court or by a magistrate who has jurisdiction in the

area where the premises in question are situated, and shall only be issued if

it appears to the judge or magistrate from information on oath that there are

reasonable grounds for believing that an article or thing mentioned in

paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (I) is upon or in such premises, and shall

specify which of the acts mentioned in paragraph (b)(i) to (vi) of that

subsection may be performed thereunder by the person to whom it is issued.

(3) A warrant issued in terms this section shall be executed by day unless

the person who issues the warrant authorizes the execution thereof by night at

times which shall be reasonable, and any entry upon or search of any premises

order, including-

(a) a person's right to, respect for and the protection of his or her

dignity;

(b) the right of a person to freedom and security; and

(c) the right of a person to his or her personal privacy.

(4) Any person executing a warrant in terms of this section shall

immediately before commencing with the execution-

(a) identify himself or herself to the person in control of the premises,

if such person is present, and hand to such person a copy of the

warrant or, if such person is not present, affix such copy to a

prominent place on the premises;

(b) supply such person at his or her request with particulars regarding

his or her authority to execute such a warrant.

(5) (a) Any commissioner, or any member of the staff of the Commission or

police officer at the request of a commissioner, may without a warrant enter

upon any premises, other than a private dwelling, and search for, seize and

remove any article or thing referred to in subsection (1)-

(i) if the person who is competent to do so consents to such entry,

search, seizure and removal; or

(ii) if he or she upon reasonable grounds believes that-

(aa) the required warrant will be issued to him or her in terms of

subsection (2) if he or she were to apply for such warrant; and

(bb) the delay caused by the obtaining of any such warrant would

defeat the object of the entry, search, seizure and removal.

(b) Any entry and search in terms of paragraph (a) shall be executed by day,

unless the execution thereof by night is justifiable and necessary.

(6) (a) Any person who may on the authority of a warrant issued in terms of

subsection (2), or under the provisions of subsection (5), enter upon and

search any premises, may use such force as may be reasonably necessary to

overcome resistance to such entry or search.

(b) No person may enter upon or search any premises unless he or she has

audibly demanded admission to the premises and has notified the purpose of his

or her entry, unless such person is upon reasonable grounds of the opinion that

any article or thing may be destroyed if such admission is first demanded and

such purpose is first notified.

(7) If during the execution of a warrant or the conducting of a search in

terms of this section, a person claims that an article found on or in the

premises concerned contains privileged information and refuses the inspection

or removal of such article, the person executing the warrant or conducting the

search shall, if he or she is of the opinion that the article contains

information which is relevant to the investigation and that such information is

necessary for the investigation or hearing, request the registrar of the

Supreme Court which has jurisdiction or his or her delegate, to seize and

remove that article for safe custody until a court of law has made a ruling on

the question whether the information concerned is privileged or not.

(8) A warrant issued in terms of this section may be issued on any day and

shall be of force until-

(a) it is executed; or

(b) it is cancelled by the person who issued it or, if such person is not

available, by any person with like authority; or

(c) the expiry of one month from the day of its issue; or

(d) the purpose for the issuing of the warrant has lapsed, whichever may

occur first.

Hearings of Commission to be open to public

33. (1) (a) Subject to the provisions of this section, the hearings of the

Commission shall be open to the public.

(b) If the Commission, in any proceedings before it, is satisfied that-

(i) it would be in the interest of justice; or

(ii) there is a likelihood that harm may ensue to any person as a result

of the proceedings being open, it may direct that such proceedings be

held behind closed doors and that the public or any category thereof

shall not be present at such proceedings or any part thereof:

Provided that the Commission shall permit any victim who has an interest in the

proceedings concerned, to be present.

(c) An application for proceedings to be held behind closed doors may be

brought by a person referred to in paragraph (b) and such application shall be

heard behind closed doors.

(d) The Commission may at any time review its decision with regard to the

question whether or not the proceedings shall be held behind closed doors.

(2) Where the Commission under subsection (1)(b) on any grounds referred to

in that subsection directs that the public or any category thereof shall not be

present at any proceedings or part thereof, the Commission may, subject to the

provisions of section 20(6)-

(a) direct that no information relating to the proceedings, or any part

thereof held behind closed doors, shall be made public in any manner;

(b) direct that no person may, in any manner, make public any information

which may reveal the identity of any witness in the proceedings;

(c) give such directions in respect of the record of proceedings as may be

necessary to protect the identity of any witness:

Provided that the Commission may authorize the publication of so much

information as it considers would be just and equitable.

Legal representation

34. (1) Any person questioned by an investigation unit and any person who has

been subpoenaed or called upon to appear before the Commission is entitled to

appoint a legal representative.

(2) The Commission may, in order to expedite proceedings, place reasonable

limitations with regard to the time allowed in respect of the cross-examination

ofwitnesses or any address to the Commission.

(3) The Commission may appoint a legal representative to appear on behalf of

the person concerned if it is satisfied that the person is not financially

capable of appointing a legal representative himself or herself, and if it is

of the opinion that it is in the interests of justice that the person be

represented by a legal representative.

(4) A person referred to in subsection (1) shall be informed timeously of his

or her right to be represented by a legal representative.

Limited witness protection programme

35. (1) The Minister shall, in consultation with the Commission, promote the

establishment of a witness protection programme in order to provide for the

protection and safety of witnesses in any manner when necessary.

(2) The witness protection programme contemplated in subsection (1) shall be

prescribed by the President as soon as possible after the date referred to in

section 7(3).

(3) The regulations providing for a witness protection programme shall-

(a) provide for, among others, the appointment of a private person or the

secondment of an official or employee of any department of State in

terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No. 103 of

1994), to act as the witness protector; and

(b) be Tabled in Parliament for approval.

(4) (a) Until such time as the witness protection programme has been

established the President may, in consultation with the Minister and the

Commission, prescribe interim measures to be followed in order to provide for

the protection and the safety of a witness:

Provided that the provisions of section 185A of the Criminal Procedure Act,

1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977), shall, with the necessary changes, apply in the

absence of such interim measures.

(b) The interim measures contemplated in paragraph (a) shall be Tabled in

Parliament for approval.

(5) In this section"witness" means a person who wishes to give evidence,

gives evidence or gave evidence for the purposes of this Act and includes

any member of his or her family

or household whose safety is being threatened by any person or group of

persons, whether known to him or her or not, as a result thereof.

CHAPTER 7

General provisions

Independence of Commission

36. (1) The Commission, its commissioners and every member of its staff

shall function without political or other bias or interference and shall,

unless this Act expressly otherwise provides, be independent and separate from

any party, government, administration, or any other functionary or body

directly or indirectly representing the interests of any such entity.

(2) To the extent that any of the personnel of the entities referred to in

subsection (1) may be involved in the activities of the Commission, such

personnel will be accountable solely to the Commission.

(3) (a) If at any stage during the course of proceedings at any meeting of

the Commission it appears that a commissioner has or may have a financial or

personal interest which may cause a substantial conflict of interests in the

performance of his or her functions as such a commissioner, such a commissioner

shall forthwith and fully disclose the nature of his or her interest and absent

himself or herself from that meeting so as to enable the remaining

commissioners to decide whether the commissioner should be precluded from

participating in the meeting by reason of that interest.

(b) Such a disclosure and the decision taken by the remaining

commissioners shall be entered on the record of the proceedings.

(4) If a commissioner fails to disclose any conflict of interest as required

by subsection (3) and is present at a meeting of the Commission or in any manner

participates in the proceedings, such proceedings in relation to the relevant

matter shall, as soon as such non-disclosure is discovered, be reviewed and be

varied or set aside by the Commission without the participation of the

commissioner concerned.

(5) Every commissioner and member of a committee shall-

(a) notwithstanding any personal opinion, preference or party affiliation,

serve impartially and independently and perform his or her duties in

good faith and without fear, favour, bias or prejudice;

(b) serve in a full-time capacity to the exclusion of any other duty or

obligation arising out of any other employment or occupation or the

holding of another office: Provided that the Commission may exempt a

commissioner from the provisions of this paragraph.

(6) No commissioner or member of a committee shall-

(a) by his or her membership of the Commission, association, statement,

conduct or in any other manner jeopardize his or her independence or

in any other manner harm the credibility, impartiality or integrity

of the Commission;

(b) make private use of or profit from any confidential information gained

as a result of his or her membership of the Commission or a

committee; or

(c) divulge any such information to any other person except in the course

of the performance of his or her functions as such a commissioner or

member of a committee.

Commission to decide on disclosure of identity of applicants and witnesses

37. Subject to the provisions of sections 20(6), 33 and 35 the Commission

shall, with due regard to the purposes of this Act and the objectives and

functions of the Commission, decide to what extent, if at all, the identity of

any person who made an application under this Act or gave evidence at the

hearing of such application or at any other inquiry or investigation under this

Act may be disclosed in any report of the Commission.

Confidentiality of matters and information

38. (1) Every commissioner and every member of the staff of the Commission

shall, with regard to any matter dealt with by him or her, or information which

comes to his or her knowledge in the exercise, performance or carrying out of

his or her powers, functions or duties as such a commissioner or member,

preserve and assist in the preservation of those matters which are confidential

in terms of the provisions of this Act or which have been declared confidential

by the Commission.

(2) (a) Every commissioner and every member of the staff of the Commission

shall, upon taking office, take an oath or make an affirmation in the form

specified in subsection (6).

(b) A commissioner shall take the oath or make the affirmation referred

to in paragraph (a) before the Chairperson of the Commission or, in the case of

the Chairperson, before the Vice-Chairperson.

(c) A member of the staff of the Commission shall take the oath or make

the affirmation referred to in paragraph (a) before a commissioner.

(3) No commissioner shall, except for the purpose of the exercise of his or

her powers, the performance of his or her functions or the carrying out of his

or her duties or when required by a court of law to do so, or under any law,

disclose to any person any information acquired by him or her as such a

commissioner or while attending any meeting of the Commission.

(4) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) and sections 20(6) and 33,

no person shall disclose or make known any information which is confidential by

virtue of any provision of this Act.

(5) No person who is not authorized thereto by the Commission shall have

access to any information which is confidential by virtue of any provision of

this Act.

(6) For the purposes of this section the oath or affirmation shall be in the

following form:

" 1, A B, hereby declare under oath/solemnly affirm that I understand

and shall honour the obligation of confidentiality imposed upon me by

any provision of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act,

1995, and shall not act in contravention thereof.".

Offences and penalties

39. Any person who-

(a) anticipates any finding of the Commission regarding an investigation

in a manner calculated to influence its proceedings or such

findings;

(b) does anything calculated improperly to influence the Commission in

respect of any matter being or to be considered by the Commission

in connection with an investigation;

(c) does anything in relation to the Commission which, if done in

relation to a court of law, would constitute contempt of court;

(d) (i) hinders the Commission, any commissioner or member of the staff

of the Commission in the exercise, performance or carrying out of its,

his or her powers, functions or duties under this Act;

(ii) wilfully furnishes the Commission, any such commissioner or

member with any information which is false or misleading;

(e) (i) having been subpoenaed in terms of this Act, without sufficient

cause fails to attend at the time and place specified in the subpoena,

or fails to remain in attendance until the conclusion of the meeting in

question or until excused from further attendance by the person

presiding at that meeting, or fails to produce any article in his or her

possession or custody or under his or her control;

(ii) having been subpoenaed in terms of this Act, without

sufficient cause refuses to be sworn or to make affirmation

as a witness or fails or refuses to answer fully and

satisfactorily to the best of his or her knowledge and belief

any question lawfully put to him or her;

fails to perform any act as required in terms of sections

36(6) and 38;

(g) discloses any confidential information in contravention of any

provision of this Act;

(h) destroys any article relating to or in anticipation of any

investigation or proceedings in terms of this Act, shall be guilty of an

offence and liable on conviction to a fine, or to imprisonment for a

period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

Regulations

40. (1) The President may make regulations-

(a) prescribing anything required to be prescribed for the proper

application of this Act;

(b) prescribing the remuneration and allowances and other benefits, if

any, of commissioners: Provided that such remuneration shall not be

less than that of a judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa;

(c) determining the persons who shall for the purposes of this Act be

regarded as the dependants or relatives of victims;

(d) providing, in the case of interim measures for urgent reparation

payable over a period of time, for the revision, and, in appropriate

cases, for the discontinuance or reduction of any reparation so paid;

(e) prohibiting the cession, attachment or assignment of any such

reparation so granted; determining that any such reparation

received in terms of a recommendation shall not form part of the

estate of the recipient, should such estate be sequestrated;

(g) providing for the payment or reimbursement of expenses incurred in

respect of travel and accommodation by persons attending any hearing

of the Commission in compliance with a subpoena issued in terms of

this Act;

(h) with regard to any matter relating to the affairs of the Fund,

established in terms of section 42;

(i) with regard to any matter which the President deems necessary or

expedient to prescribe in order to achieve the objects of this Act.

(2) Any regulation made in terms of subsection (1) which may result in the

expenditure of State money shall be made in consultation with the Minister and

the Minister of Finance.

Liability of Commission, commissioners and members of staff

41. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), the State Liability Act,

1957 (Act No. 20 of 1957), shall apply, with the necessary changes, in respect

of the Commission, a member of its staff and a commissioner, and in such

application a reference in that Act to "the State" shall be construed as a

reference to "the Commission", and a reference to "the Minister of the

department concerned" shall be construed as a reference to the Chairperson of

the Commission.

(2) No-

(a) commissioner;

(b) member of the staff of the Commission; or

(c) person who performs any task on behalf of the Commission, shall be

liable in respect of anything reflected in any report, finding, point of view or

recommendation made or expressed in good faith and submitted or made known in

terms of this Act.

President's Fund

42. (1) The President may, in such manner as he or she may deem fit, in

consultation with the Minister and the Minister of Finance, establish a Fund

into which shall be paid-

(a) all money appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of the Fund; and

(b) all money donated or contributed to the Fund or accruing to the Fund

from any source.

(2) There shall be paid from the Fund all amounts payable to victims by way

of reparation in terms of regulations made by the President.

(3) Any money of the Fund which is not required for immediate use may be

invested with a financial institution approved by the Minister of Finance and

may be withdrawn when required.

(4) Any unexpended balance of the money of the Fund at the end of a financial

year, shall be carried forward as a credit to the Fund for the next

financial year.

(5) The administrative work, including the receipt of money appropriated by

Parliament for, or donated for the purposes of, the Fund or accruing to the

Fund from any source, and the making of payments from the Fund in compliance

with a recommendation in terms of this Act, shall be performed by officers in

the Public Service designated by the Minister.

(6) The Minister shall appoint an officer designated under subsection (5) as

accounting officer in respect of the Fund.

(7) The Auditor-General shall audit the Fund and all financial statements

relating thereto, and the provisions of section 6 of the Auditor-General Act,

1989 (Act No. 52 of 1989), shall apply in respect of any such audit.

Completion of report by Commission and dissolution of Commission

43. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), the Commission shall

within a period of 18 months from its constitution or the further period, not

exceeding six months, as the President may determine, complete its work.

(2) The Commission shall within three months, from the date contemplated in

subsection (1), complete its final report.

(3) The Commission shall be dissolved on a date determined by the President

by proclamation in the Gazette.

Publication of final report of Commission

44. The President shall, in such manner as he or she may deem fit, bring the

final report of the Commission to the notice of the Nation, among others, by

laying such report, within two months after having received it, upon the Table

in Parliament.

Approach to and review by joint committee of, and reports to, Parliament

45. (1) (a) The Commission may, at any time, approach the joint committee

with regard to any matter pertaining to the functions and powers of the

Commission.

(b) The Minister may at any time approach the joint committee with regard to

any matter pertaining to functions and powers which may be performed or

exercised by him or her in terms of this Act.

(c) The joint committee may at any time review any regulation made under

section 40 and request the President to amend certain regulations or to make

further regulations in terms of that section.

(2) The Commission shall submit to Parliament half-yearly financial reports:

Provided that the Commission may, at any time, submit a financial report to

Parliament on specific or general matters if-

(a) it deems it necessary;

(b) it deems it in the public interest;

(c) it requires the urgent attention of, or an intervention by, Parliament;

(d) it is requested to do so by the Speaker of the National Assembly or

the President of the Senate.

Chief executive officer, secretaries, expenditure and estimates of Commission

46. (1) The Commission shall appoint in its service a person as the chief

executive officer of the Commission and four other persons as secretaries to

the Commission, the Committee on Human Rights Violations, the Committee on

Amnesty and the Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation, respectively.

(2) The chief executive officer-

(a) shall for the purposes of section 15 of the

Exchequer Act, 1975 (Act No.66 of 1975), be the accounting officer

in respect of all State moneys received in respect of and paid out

of the account of the Commission referred to in subsection (4), and

shall keep proper accounting records of all financial transactions

of the Commission;

(b) shall carry out such duties and perform such functions as the

Commission may from time to time impose upon or assign to him or her

in order to achieve the objectives of the Commission.

(3) The expenses in connection with the exercise of the powers, the

performance of the functions and the carrying out of the duties of the

Commission shall be defrayed out of money appropriated by Parliament for that

purpose.

(4) The Commission shall, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, open

an account with a banking institution, into which shall be deposited all moneys

appropriated as mentioned in subsection (3) and from which all money required

to pay for the expenses so mentioned shall be paid.

(5) (a) The Commission shall within three months from the date referred to

in section 7(3), for the first financial year, and thereafter in each financial

year for the following financial year, in a format determined by the Audit

Commission established by section 2 of the Audit Arrangements Act, 1992 (Act

No. 122 of 1992), prepare the necessary estimate of revenue and expenditure of

the Commission, which shall, after consultation with the said Audit Commission,

be submitted to the Minister for his or her approval, granted in concurrence

with the Minister of Finance, for furtherance in terms of subsection (3).

(b) The Commission shall not incur any expenditure which exceeds the total

amount approved in terms of paragraph (a).

(6) As from the date on which the Commission is dissolved in terms of

section 43(3) and after all the expenses referred to in subsection (3) have

been paid, the account opened in terms of subsection (4) shall be closed and

the balance of the moneys deposited into that account, if any, shall be

transferred to the fiscus.

Consequences of dissolution

47. (1) As from the date on which the Commission is dissolved in terms of

section 43(3), all the funds and property which vested in the President's Fund

immediately prior to that date shall be transferred to the Disaster Relief Fund

referred to in Chapter 11 of the Fund-raising Act, 1978 (Act No. 107 of 1978),

and shall vest in the Disaster Relief Fund.

(2) After the date referred to in subsection (1), all the funds and property

which would have accrued to the President's Fund, if the Commission had not

been dissolved, shall vest in the Disaster Relief Fund.

(3) Any funds or property which, by trust, donation or bequest were vested

in, orwould have accrued to, the President's Fund, and which vest in the

Disaster Relief Fund in terms of subsection (1), shall be dealt with by the

board of the Disaster Relief Fund in accordance with the conditions of such

trust, donation or bequest.

(4) As from the date referred to in subsection (1) the liabilities incurred

by the Commission or the President's Fund in terms of this Act, shall pass to

the Disaster Relief Fund: Provided that such a liability shall be defrayed only

from funds or property which vest in the Disaster Relief Fund in terms of this

section.

(5) No transfer duty, stamp duty or registration fees shall be payable in

respect of the acquisition of any funds or property in terms of this section.

Acts repealed

48. (1) The Indemnity Act, 1990 (Act No. 35 of 1990), the Indemnity

Amendment Act, 1992 (Act No. 124 of 1992), and the Further Indemnity Act, 1992

(Act No. 151 of 1992), are hereby repealed.

(2) Any indemnity granted under the provisions of the Indemnity Act,

1990, the Indemnity Amendment Act, 1992, or the Further Indemnity Act, 1992,

shall remain in force notwithstanding the repeal of those Acts.

(3) Any temporary immunity or indemnity granted under an Act repealed in

terms of subsection (1) shall remain in force for a period of 12 months after

the date referred to in section 7(3) notwithstanding the repeal of that Act.

Short title and commencement

49. This Act shall be called the Promotion of National Unity and

Reconciliation Act, 1995, and shall come into operation on a date fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.

.