TRC Final Report

Volume 1

Chapter 13

Subsection 43

1964 Commission of Inquiry into Secret Organisations

Mandate: To inquire into and report on the conduct of any secret organisation, including Freemasonry, the Afrikaner Broederbond and the Sons of England, and on the secret activities of any other organisation which comes, or is brought, to the Commission’s attention and which, in the opinion of the Commission, calls for inquiry in terms of the purpose of its appointment.

Date of Report: 12 December 1964

Chair: BOTHA, D.H.

Ref: RP 20/1965

1966 Commission of Inquiry into the Circumstances of the Death of the late Dr Honourable Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd

Mandate: To inquire into and submit a report on all aspects relating to the death of the late Dr Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd which the said Commission deems to be in public interest.

Date of Report: December 1966

Chair: VAN WYK, J.T.

Ref: RP 16/1967

1967 Commission of Inquiry into Improper Political Interference and the Political Representation of the various Population Groups

Mandate: To investigate, report on and make recommendations with regard to the matters referred to by the Prohibition of Improper Interference Bill (A.B. 81-’66) and any matters concerning the political representation of the various population groups.

Date of Report: 20 November 1967

Chair: MULLER, S. L.

Ref: RP 72/1967

1969-70 Commission of Inquiry into matters relating to the Security of the State [BOSS] Mandate: To inquire into and submit recommendations and a report on -

1. whether the State Departments concerned with security function properly and act in a co-ordinated manner so as to ensure the greatest measure of efficiency, and to what extent each State Department concerned plays a necessary and an efficient part;
2. any matter which, in the opinion of the Commission, constitutes a threat to the efficient functioning of the security organisations; the harmful effects, if any, which their activities might have on the State or its citizens, and the anomalies which might arise as a result of the operations of any of the said organisations or of individuals attached to or in control of them;
3. any further aspect concerning the security structure of the State;
4. whether, and to what extent, present legislation concerning the Bureau for State Security should be amended in the light of the report and recommendations on the above matters;
5. the release to the public of as much of the Commission’s report as would not, in opinion of the Commission, be in conflict with the security of the State.

Date of Report: Report I: 27 November 1969 Report II: 4 August 1970

Chair: POTGIETER, H.J.

Ref: Report I: RP 17/70 Report II: RP 102/1971