Mabandla denies stopping investigation into Chikane’s poisoning

Former Justice Minister Bridgitte Mabandla says she is positive that she did not make a call to Former NDPP Silas Ramaite in 2004, instructing him to stop the arrest of those guilty of the 1983 poisoning of anti-apartheid activist Reverend Frank Chikane.

Mabandla has been giving testimony at the TRC Cases Inquiry taking place in Newtown, Johannesburg.

Mabandla has been fingered by Ramaite in earlier testimony for pushing forward with her instruction despite him pointing out that she was interfering in the work of the NPA.

Mabandla said in her initial affidavit that while she had no recollection of the call she did not deny it had happened.

In her subsequent supplementary affidavit, she settled on the following.

“I deny that I instructed Dr Ramaite as alleged it is unheard of that a minister would call to discuss an issue of this matter on the phone with an official the ordinary method of communication is through a memorandum sent from my office to the NDPP that is the official way of work in most departments including the justice department.

I also would not have called Dr Ramaite with an instruction concerning the work of the NPA.” Video: TRC Cases | Khampepe Commission of Inquiry | 21 October 2026