Ackermann rejects “apartheid prosecutor” label at TRC inquiry

Former Head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) ‘s Priority Crimes Litigation Unit (PCLU) Advocate Anton Ackermann has rejected the label “apartheid prosecutor”, which he believes was assigned to him by some in the government’s justice and security cluster.
He says he had been told by his then-boss and former NDPP Vusi Pikoli that he was persona non grata amongst government department leaders.
This was due to the fact that they believed that he intended to prosecute former President Thabo Mbeki and other senior ANC leaders.
Ackerman was cross-examined by the former Director-General of Justice and NDPP, Menzi Simelane’s lawyer, Advocate Thabani Masuku, at the TRC Cases Inquiry in Newtown, Johannesburg.
“Mr Ackerman, do you regard the discussion about who would be assigned the duty to conduct these TRC cases as a debate or discussion within government that was legitimate? If there was evidence that I was an apartheid prosecutor and that I prosecuted the comrades and I enjoyed prosecuting the comrades, then I can understand”, Masuku asked.
Ackermann will face further cross-examination on Friday by lawyers representing the Department of Justice, SAPS and the NPA.
Video: TRC Cases | Khampepe Commission of Inquiry: 19 March 2026

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