Special Report Transcript Episode 85, Section 2, Time 20:55

Let’s get some comment in Johannesburg. // Max, I’d rather focus on where the Truth Commission has succeeded. To me, as a viewer. // OK, let’s talk about that. // I think that a lot of people in the case of Steve Biko’s killing wanted this not to be part of the TRC process. Their argument was let’s prosecute the killers and imprison them. Fine, if you can find evidence, but there was no evidence. And so I think what happened has been a very healthy development. Now what happened was of course we didn’t get the whole truth, but at last we saw these faces, for the whole country to see and to see them lying to the extent that they were. Some of them came out with some of the truth and some of them lied. But you know people are not fools and they can see for themselves on television and they can judge at what point the person has departed from the truth or is covering up themselves. Now that in itself is a very strong sanction, because I mean how would you like to live the rest of your life in South Africa for it to be known that you were one of the killers of Steve Biko and you lied about it. // But I think the opposition, the criticism of that is, what you’re talking about is the opening up of wounds and that is what Herman Giliomee has said and Abraham Mzizi …. // The wounds were wide open. In fact, if anything, this has helped to some extend to cleanse them I think. The criticism that oh well these people aren’t being punished … there are many forms of punishment and even conscience and public sanction is a form of punishment.

Notes: Max du Preez; Donald Woods

References: there are no references for this transcript