The Gauteng High Court has dismissed the South African government’s attempt to delay a R167 million constitutional damages case brought by families of apartheid-era victims and survivors. The ruling marks a major step forward in the long quest for justice, more than two decades after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) called for further investigations into atrocities committed during apartheid.
Judge Nicolene Janse Van Nieuwenhuizen ruled that it would be unjust to postpone the case any longer, noting that many affected families have waited years for closure. She criticised the government for causing delays and then seeking yet another indefinite postponement without clear justification.
The families, supported by the Foundation for Human Rights, filed the case earlier this year against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the state, arguing that the lack of action on TRC recommendations violated their constitutional rights.
In May, President Ramaphosa established a judicial commission chaired by retired Justice Sisi Khampepe to examine allegations that justice in TRC-related cases was stalled due to political interference. However, after forming the commission, the government sought to pause the damages case until the commission completed its work — a move now blocked by the court.
GOOD Party spokesperson Brett Herron welcomed the decision, calling it a “vital step toward restoring the integrity of South Africa’s justice system.” He added that the ruling reinforces accountability and highlights the need to end the culture of impunity surrounding unresolved apartheid-era crimes.