Didiza denies convening 2006 meeting linked to Chikane prosecution - IOL

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has firmly denied claims that she convened a meeting of the justice cluster during her brief tenure as the acting Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in 2006.

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has categorically denied allegations that she convened a meeting of the justice cluster during her brief tenure as acting Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in 2006.

Didiza was testifying before the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry, which is examining claims of political interference in matters related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on Monday.

Didiza, who served as acting Justice minister for just over five weeks while her predecessor, Minister Brigitte Mabandla, was hospitalised, faced scrutiny regarding her alleged participation in meetings that reportedly impacted prosecutions linked to the poisoning of Reverend Frank Chikane.

As she took the stand, Didiza expressed uncertainty about the nature of the meetings in question, stating that the vague allegations lacked specificity.

“I must say that one was not clear to me about that meeting, and where it is alleged that I convened, I'm not sure as to whether that meeting was just a meeting of ministers on an informal basis. However, without any documentation to assist me 20 years later, I would not actually have a recollection,” she stated.

It is reported that this particular meeting took place at the home of former minister Zola Skweyiya, with Didiza stating: “Looking at the names of the people at the homestead of the late Zola Skweyiya, it was an informal meeting.”

When pressed on whether she personally convened any such meeting, Didiza was resolute in her denial, arguing that had it been a formal gathering of government ministers, expected protocols would have required the chairperson of the cluster, specifically the then minister of Safety and Security, to lead.

“As I said, one thing that intrigued me when I looked at what was set out, I was actually not sure as to in what capacity I would have even convened such a meeting. If it was a meeting of government, you would have expected that the chairperson of the cluster, who at the time was the minister of Safety and Security.”

Prior to her testimony, Didiza had indicated that she had little to offer the inquiry and had requested to be excused from participating altogether; however, she remained open to attending if required by the commission.

The proceedings were adjourned soon after her brief statement and are set to resume on Tuesday, September 22, with the cross-examination of former minister of Justice Jeff Radebe, who provided testimony in July 2026.