Truth prevails as Botha deal falls through

GEORGE, (SOUTH AFRICA) April 15: Talks on a deal to prevent former South African president P W Botha from standing trial broke down today, m...

GEORGE, (SOUTH AFRICA) April 15: Talks on a deal to prevent former South African president P W Botha from standing trial broke down today, meaning the court case would proceed. Botha, 82, faces charges of contempt for ignoring a subpoena issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which is investigating apartheid-era crimes. If convicted, he could receive up to two years in jail and an unspecified fine.

The trial was supposed to begin yesterday, but Botha’s lawyers asked for a postponement to try to work out a deal in which the former president would testify before the commission in exchange for dismissal of

the charges.This morning, Truth Commission lawyer Jeremy Gauntlett said a day and night of negotiations failed to reach an agreement.

“Botha has effectively repudiated all the discussions,” Gauntlett said outside the courthouse. “He’s blown it.”

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The case reveals South Africa’s lingering racial tensions, pitting Botha –the last hard-line apartheid leader –against President NelsonMandela’s 1995 commission set up to uncover crimes and promote reconciliation.Botha, who worked against equal rights for blacks during his 11 years as prime minister and then president, will face a black judge at his trial.

Conservative whites have rallied around Botha, who says the Truth Commission is conducting a witch hunt against apartheid leaders and security forces.

Blacks, on the other hand see Botha standing before magistrate Victor Lugaju as a sign of real change after the nation’s first all-race election in 1994 ended apartheid.

By entering into negotiations with the Truth Commission, Botha signalled that he might testify in person before the panel something he had previously said he would never do.