South Africa’s TRC begins its formal hearings into Human Rights Violations

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

On 15 April 1996, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), under Chairman Archbishop Desmond Tutu, began its first formal hearings in East London City Hall. The South African TRC was set up by the Government of National Unity (the democratic government since 1994) to help deal with violations of human rights during the apartheid era. The Commission heard testimonies from all members of South African society about political crimes, violence and human rights abuses that had not been disclosed. The Commission was charged with the responsibility to prosecute alleged perpetrators or grant amnesty. The TRC consisted of different committees, namely the Human Rights Violations (HRV), Reparation and Rehabilitation (R&R) and Amnesty Committees (AC).

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000) Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.(2003) 'Milestones' (special insert), The Star, 15 April.
02SAHA, (2010), ‘The legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’, from South African History Archive, 15 Apri [online], Available at www.saha.org.za [Accessed: 07 March 2012]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, April 11). South Africa’s TRC begins its formal hearings into Human Rights Violations. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081687

South African History Online (2012) 'South Africa’s TRC begins its formal hearings into Human Rights Violations', South African History Online, 11 April. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081687 (Accessed: 29 July 2026).

South African History Online, South Africa’s TRC begins its formal hearings into Human Rights Violations [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081687, (accessed 29 July 2026).

"South Africa’s TRC begins its formal hearings into Human Rights Violations." South African History Online, 11 Apr. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081687. Accessed 29 July 2026.

South African History Online. "South Africa’s TRC begins its formal hearings into Human Rights Violations." South African History Online. April 11, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081687.