R2K demands full transparency on the Moerane Commission: Release the transcripts now!
The KZN Premier, Willies Mchunu, has finally released the Moerane Commission report to the public after sitting on it for three months.
While R2K welcomes the release of the report, we are still calling for the Premier to also publicly release the evidence transcripts. As R2K we submitted a PAIA request for the transcripts – a step which we deem unnecessary. The Premier’s office has requested an extension to 8 October 2018 to respond to this request. We call on the public to sign our petition urging the Premier to publicly release the transcripts.
It is important to note that this request relates to records of testimony made in public hearings – often by state institutions such as the South African Police Service whose conduct before the Commission is of great public interest. This request would in no way endanger witnesses who appeared before the Commission anonymously, as their names can be redacted from the transcripts as they are in the Commission report.
On the contents of the report, the Right2Know Campaign is shocked to learn that the Moerane Commission has not made any recommendations around the prosecution of any person implicated in the political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
Although education programmes by political parties to their membership on tolerance and democratic processes and an investigation into the tender processes are welcomed, we are not satisfied that not a single person will be brought to book. The crisis of political violence, not only against political party members, but also against community activists, requires urgent and far-reaching action. The failure to recommend prosecution for anyone gives cover to individuals and institutions accused of heinous crimes.
The shortcomings of the Moerane Commission report are further proof of why the transcripts must be made public. These documents would allow an informed, public debate on whether the Commission applied its mind to the evidence that witnesses presented, at great personal risk, and whether the Commission delivered on its mandate and honoured the contribution of the whistleblowers who appeared before it.
We therefore call on the Premier: release the transcripts!
For more information contact:
Mluleki Marongo, R2K Access to Information Organiser: 078 105 8802
Sithembiso Khuluse, R2K KZN Organiser: 082 843 9976
