Row over cash meant for apartheid victims

A GOVERNMENT plan to spend nearly half of the R1.1-billion in the President’s Fund to “renovate ” municipal infrastructure may be unlawful.

The fund, which includes donations by foreign governments, was set up to compensate the victims of apartheidera crimes.

Now a coalition of organisations is seeking an urgent meeting with Justice Minister Jeff Radebe to discuss reports that the department’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) unit wants to divert R500-million to 18 municipalities.

A Legal Resources Centre lawyer, Steve Kahanovitz, writing on behalf of the South African Coalition for Transitional Justice, said the law governing the fund required that regulations be issued before any money could be disbursed.

He said the coalition had received reports that the TRC unit had arranged a meeting in Mamelodi, Pretoria, at which a committee was formed to plan how the money would be used for “renovations ”.

“The government officials informed the meeting that similar meetings were planned for Alexandra [in Johannesburg] and would then follow in other provinces,” he told Radebe.

“In the event that this money is being allocated in the absence of authorising regulations, we submit that this will constitute unlawful use of the President’s Fund.”

The letter, which was sent to Radebe this week, also noted that many victims were now elderly and “may not have many more years to live”.

“Indeed, a large number have died without receiving any material benefits. Notwithstanding the dire circumstances of many victims, your department has to date displayed little or no sense of urgency.”

The fund is intended to ensure payments to victims identified by the TRC and for the rehabilitation of communities. To date, about 17 000 victims were paid R30 000 each.

Marjorie Jobson, national director of the Khulumani Support Group, said it was “scandalous” that money in the fund was being earmarked for renovations to municipal infrastructure. She estimated that more than 120 000 people were eligible for reparations.

Hugo van der Merwe of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation said: “It’s now almost 20 years later and many of them [victims] will not benefit if there are any further delays. Once the victims’ needs have been dealt with, then we should be looking at community reparations.”

Gavin Manyelo, 24, who was two years old when his mother, Winnie, and aunt Eunice were shot dead in Katlehong on September 10 1990, allegedly by Inkatha members, said he did not receive the R30 000 despite being a legitimate beneficiary. He sustained head injuries because his mother was carrying him on her back.