Former Hawks chief Anwa Dramat vehemently defends his record at the TRC, as families allege negligence over unresolved cases.
Image: Antoine de Ras / Independent Newspapers Archives
Former Hawks chief Lieutenant General Anwa Dramat has firmly defended his actions as the former national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
Dramat's testimony comes amid accusations from the families of the Cradock Four, who claim that critical TRC cases were left to expire, jeopardising the pursuit of justice.
Dramat resumed his duties as the head of the Hawks in July 2009 and left the position in 2014, with family members alleging that Advocate Chris Macadam was instructed to meet with Dramat shortly after he assumed his role in the hopes of safeguarding certain cases from prescription.
Macadam, a former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, testified in March that despite his attempts, he was unsuccessful in securing a meeting with Dramat. Consequently, in some cases, including one due for prescription on September 12, 2009, lapsed without further investigation.
Additionally, Macadam firmly denied attempts to shield colleagues from scrutiny, asserting his dedication to advancing TRC-related matters.
He gave his testimony following allegations that he interfered with the TRC cases' investigations during his tenure in the Directorate for Specialised Operations and as part of the Priority Crime Litigation Unit.
On Wednesday, during his testimony before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Cases Inquiry, the former Hawks head denied taking or issuing unlawful instructions to frustrate the investigations of some of the affected cases.
He said: "I can categorically state, and without fear of contradiction, that I never made or received unlawful instructions, in relation to TRC cases... As I indicated, I was appointed in June but took up office in July. And I do take note, although I don’t have any recollection of the email, but I do take note that Advocate Macadam made attempts to seek a meeting with me."
Advocate Howard Varney, representing the Calata and other victim families, confronted Dramat regarding the sad reality that only one TRC case had been pursued between 2011 and 2020.
In response, Dramat claimed that at least 10 cases were investigated during that timeframe, though he conceded that completing those investigations may have been challenging.
"I do not have full recollection. However, with the benefit of hindsight, it could be surprising that the NPA did not have investigators," he noted.
The TRC Cases Inquiry, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe, is set to continue hearing testimonies from other witnesses on Thursday.
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za