GAUTENG
4
"...to give evidence at a hearing of the Commission".
 That section of the Act does not stipulate when perpetrators should be given notice.  We have been generous, and I want to underline that, we have been generous in letting them know ahead of a hearing.  It is in our discretion, after they have made their representations whether we invite them then to a hearing and also that they may then have opportunity for limited cross-examination.  That is laid down in the Act which was passed by a democratically elected Parliament, in which all parties are represented.  If people have problems, it must be directed not at the Commission but at the Assembly which passed the law.
 Secondly, we have taken a principled decision that victims, survivors will be accorded the opportunity to tell their stories.  Most have not had such an opportunity before.  Again this is a requirement in the Act that in its preamble says, "affording victims an opportunity to relate the violations they suffered".
 The Act lays down that there must be a bias in favour of the victims and the survivors, and I am not plucking this out of the air.  It is in the Act again. "Principles to govern actions of Commission when dealing with victims", section 11.
"When dealing with victims the actions of the Commission shall be guided by the following principles.
a. Victims shall be treated with compassion and respect for their dignity.
 b. Victims shall be treated equally and without
JOHANNESBURG HEARING TRC/