Mbeki denies secret deal to shield apartheid generals from prosecution
Mbeki acknowledged a meeting with former security force generals but denied it was intended to secure amnesty, saying the discussions concerned whether apartheid-era political leaders should account for their decisions.
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has vehemently denied claims that he secretly met with former President FW de Klerk and generals of the South African Defence Force (SADF) to help them avoid prosecution for their alleged crimes committed during the apartheid era. During his appearance before the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry, Mbeki stated that the allegations of secret meetings were "complete fabrication."
Mbeki explained that there was indeed a meeting between the generals and senior apartheid officials, but the purpose of the meeting was to ensure that the National Party leaders testified first, allowing them to provide context for the actions of the foot soldiers. He further claimed that the ANC would then request amnesty for the decisions made by their leaders.
Regarding allegations of interference in the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) work on TRC cases, Mbeki argued that they had raised concerns in Parliament about outstanding issues and requested the NPA to seek the truth related to arms caches, disappeared persons, and other threats to national security. He firmly denied any attempts to stop the prosecution of cases referred to the NPA by the TRC.
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