Commission has teeth but we will not pass judgments or pronounce anybody guilty – Dr Brand

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Chair Dr Marcus Brand says the Commission will not pass judgments or pronounce anybody guilty as they are not a judicial body.

While responding to a question from the media if the Commission will be interacting with those who are responsible for the trauma, Dr Brand says the Commission was set up to promote social accountability, and it will not pass a verdict on anyone.

He says since they are not a judicial body, they can talk about everything, even those things that are covered by immunity, but the purpose is truth-telling and truth documentation and not finding anybody guilty in a judicial sense.

The Chair says they do have authority, according to the Act, to ask people to come before the Commission to give evidence.

He adds they will try to use this power sparingly and also try to promote willingness for people to come forward, including those responsible for some of the acts that occurred in the past.