HOW DID THE AMNESTY COMMITTEE OF THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) DEAL WITH THE DEATH OF BANTU STEPHEN BIKO? 2.1 Refer to Source 2A - NSC History - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 2

Reconciliation in the context of the TRC hearings refers to the process of bringing together victims and perpetrators in order to promote forgiveness and healing from political crimes committed after 1960.

Herwitz's claim suggests that the TRC did not adequately represent all perspectives, particularly marginalized voices. Most members had affiliations with the African National Congress, which may skew the impartiality expected from the commission.

The TRC hearings served a symbolic function by providing a platform for victims to share their stories, thereby validating their experiences. It also symbolized the nation’s commitment to confronting the past and promoting unity and healing.

According to the source, over one thousand perpetrators received amnesty because they made full disclosures regarding their involvement in political crimes, which was a prerequisite for receiving amnesty under the TRC’s provisions.

The security policemen applied for amnesty primarily to avoid prosecution for their actions related to the murder of Biko.

The four security policemen mentioned are Major Harold Synam, Captain Daniel Siebert, Warrant Officer Johan Beneke, and Warrant Officer Rubin Marx.

George Bizos opposed the amnesty applications as he believed that the security policemen had not made full disclosures about the circumstances surrounding Biko's death, thereby undermining the TRC's goals of transparency and justice.

The four security policemen were refused amnesty because they did not make a full disclosure about their actions during the murder of Biko, thereby failing to meet the TRC's criteria for amnesty.

The information is useful as it outlines the reasons for the refusal of amnesty, highlighting the importance of full disclosure in the TRC's process and offering insights into the investigative standards upheld by the commission.

Source 2B provides the background on the applications made by the security policemen for amnesty, while Source 2C elaborates on the specific reasons these applications were denied, with both sources emphasizing the necessity of truthful testimonies.

The cartoon conveys messages about the ongoing quest for truth related to Biko's death, illustrating the challenges faced by Bizos in uncovering facts. Visual clues depict him struggling to find answers, emphasizing the complexity of the investigation.

The title refers to the extended duration of the investigation into Biko's death, indicating that despite passing years, vital questions about justice and accountability remain unresolved.

The Amnesty Committee of the TRC addressed Buntu Stephen Biko's death by allowing security personnel to apply for amnesty, provided they made full disclosures. However, many applications were denied due to incomplete or deceptive testimonies. Notably, George Bizos opposed many of these applications, emphasizing the need for truthful accounts. The hearings underscored the TRC's role in revealing past injustices while seeking a pathway to reconciliation and healing for the nation, marking a significant step in South Africa's journey towards confronting historical wrongs.