The Khulumani Galela campaign, which is featured in our Podcast series, gathered outside the Constitutional Court on 27 October 2022 following their meeting with the Department of Justice officials in Pretoria on 19 October 2022. 156 demonstrators of the campaign slept outside Concourt demanding answers for reparations from the DOJ. On the evening of 27 October the campaign leaders compiled their response to the latest correspondence, in which the DOJ stated only seven (7) members of the 156 now qualify for reparations. Some highlights from the leaders’ response are shared below:
“We have conclusive proof that their statement that only seven (7) members of the 156 demonstrators sleeping outside Concourt now qualify for reparations is a total fabrication – whether evidence of massive incompetence of the TRC Unit, indifference and disregard for our struggles, or proof of corruption and deliberate dishonesty remains to be seen.
“Of the 156 members present dozens had participated in the TRC and were acknowledged victims; they have TTR numbers, and a number have received the R30 000 payout; many have applied for, and some have received education benefits. […] Of the pathetic message from the DOJ that only 7 of our members are “real” TRC recipients: they admit one of those 7 was not paid out the R30 000 […].
“We will finish compiling these figures and publicise them today – and present them to the DOJ and the Minister as proof of the abysmal failure of the post-TRC reparations process.
On the evening of 26 October, Concourt hosted a VIP launch of Justice and veteran’s Albie Sach’s book on the Constitution; the campaign members gathered as “a blue-light cavalcade came and parked in front of the building, rumoured to contain either President Ramaphosa or Minister of Justice Lamola.” Demanding that the government address them after ignoring them on the steps of the court for 9 days, “in the rain, with little support… whoever was in the cavalcade did not come out […]; after half an hour of toyi-toyi and singing, the cavalcade drove off.”
The campaign members agreed to remain in silence and sent a message to the Concourt event that they honoured and celebrated their constitution and their right to be there, requesting that Judge Albie Sachs address them after the event;
“Judge Sachs did indeed come out and address our members after the event closed. He told us we had a right to protest under the constitution, and he thanked us as veterans of the struggle. He said while he could not comment on our demands; we had every right to make them, and to demand that our government respond to them … those responsible had to come to address us and resolve the issues. This is after all what our constitution is about; and that our presence in front of ConCourt is a tribute to our victories. As the Galela Campaign we appreciate and honour those comments.”
The Galela Campaign still demands that our government – including our President and our Minister of Justice – must address their demands NOW. View their written mandate for the campaign here.