Anti-apartheid activist Reverend Frank Chikane has defended his decision not to oppose the pardoning of people convicted of the 1989 attempt on his life through chemical poisoning.
Chikane gave evidence before the commission, chaired by Justice Sisi Khampepe, in Johannesburg on Thursday, with his evidence led by Advocate Vas Soni.
His testimony follows criticism from former Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) commissioner Yasmin Sooka, who has suggested that Chikane’s decision not to oppose the pardon undermines efforts to establish the truth about the attack.
But Chikane says he was the victim and should not be attacked for making a personal decision about whether to revisit the traumatic experience.
He says he was disturbed by Sooka’s criticism, particularly because it came years after the events.
“I have choices to make, and as a lawyer, she can be bitterly disappointed about my choices.”
Chikane says the attack and subsequent legal processes caused him significant pain, adding that he had already gone through years of controversy surrounding the case.
“I’m the person who went through the pain and I’m the victim, actually, and I become the centre of all the debates.”
He recalled losing consciousness after the poisoning in Wisconsin, US, and only regaining consciousness at about 2am.
Chikane says his wife was also left fearing that he had died after she was told that he could not return home.
He says the focus on the pardon has overshadowed the trauma he experienced as the victim.
“Nobody talks about that. Everybody’s debating their interests around my pain. I think that’s the problem.”
Chikane says he initially did not want to appear before the commission because he feared once again becoming the subject of debate.
He also rejected suggestions that his decision was connected to his experience after leaving government.
“The real issue is my pain is being used to try to achieve other objectives without considering the pain I went through.”
Chikane acknowledged that he and Sooka were comrades during the struggle against apartheid, but says they now disagree over how his case should be handled.
“Sooka, I have to call her a comrade. We have been together.”
The commission is examining the circumstances surrounding the attack on Chikane and the broader pursuit of truth and accountability for apartheid-era crimes.
