The TRC is set up by parliament

The South African parliament approved legislation to set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995. The Commission, based on the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No 34 of 1995, investigated what happened under apartheid between 1960 and 1994. The conflict during this period resulted in violence and human rights abuses from all sides. No section of society escaped these abuses. The commission was chaired by Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Commission held public hearings throughout South Africa at which former victims of human rights abuses told their stories. A reparation and rehabilitation committee was established to recommend appropriate forms of compensation for human rights victims. Upon completion of its mandate the Commission handed over its report to President Nelson Mandela in October 1998.