Schlebusch Commission
Encyclopedia
The Schlebusch Commission was a parliamentary commission established in 1972 by the South African government of Prime Minister
BJ Vorster to investigate four anti-apartheid civil society organizations.
The recommendations of the Schlebusch Commission enabled the promulgation of the Affected Organisations Act (1974), with which the state could declare an organization "affected." An affected organization was denied foreign funding, while its funds and documents were seized. As a result, organizational activities were severely curtailed or effectively halted, as happened, respectively, with the National Union of South African Students on the one hand, and the Christian Institute of Southern Africa and the University Christian Movement on the other.
, National Party
Member of Parliament (MP) for Kroonstad
in the Orange Free State
(1962-80).
The Schlebusch Commission was set up with the express purpose of investigating the Christian Institute of Southern Africa
, the South African Institute of Race Relations
, the University Christian Movement and the National Union of South African Students
. "There was no charge sheet, witnesses were unaware of other evidence given, and were unable to cross-examine or lead evidence" (Merrett 1995:60). Among the commission's more prominent members was Kobie Coetsee
, National Party MP for Bloemfontein and later Minister of Justice.
The influence of the Commission extended for over a decade, with Schlebusch warning the South African Council of Churches
not to speak out against security legislation, fund political trials, or support political detainees.
The commission's 5th interim report declared South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) publications to be propaganda, but the organization was not deemed "affected".
In May 1975 the Christian Institute of Southern Africa (CI) was declared affected.
Employees who declined to provide evidence to the commission against their organizations were charged in court and some were convicted. Four SAIRR and nine CI officials were charged for refusing to give evidence. Because the state refused to make the commission's findings available to court, proceedings were often delayed.
In 1985 Schlebusch chaired a commission that examined remuneration of various members of government.
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
BJ Vorster to investigate four anti-apartheid civil society organizations.
The recommendations of the Schlebusch Commission enabled the promulgation of the Affected Organisations Act (1974), with which the state could declare an organization "affected." An affected organization was denied foreign funding, while its funds and documents were seized. As a result, organizational activities were severely curtailed or effectively halted, as happened, respectively, with the National Union of South African Students on the one hand, and the Christian Institute of Southern Africa and the University Christian Movement on the other.
History
Formally called The Commission of Inquiry into Certain Organisations, its colloquial name referred to its chair, Alwyn SchlebuschAlwyn Schlebusch
Alwyn Schlebusch was the only holder of the title Vice State President of South Africa from 1 January 1981 to 14 September 1984...
, National Party
National Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
Member of Parliament (MP) for Kroonstad
Kroonstad
Kroonstad is the third-largest town in the Free State province of South Africa, and lies two hours drive from Gauteng. In the 1991 census it had a population of 110,963...
in the Orange Free State
Orange Free State
The Orange Free State was an independent Boer republic in southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, and later a British colony and a province of the Union of South Africa. It is the historical precursor to the present-day Free State province...
(1962-80).
The Schlebusch Commission was set up with the express purpose of investigating the Christian Institute of Southern Africa
Christian Institute of Southern Africa
The Christian Institute of Southern Africa was an ecumenical progressive organisation founded by English and Afrikaans clergy in December 1963 to unite South African Christians against apartheid...
, the South African Institute of Race Relations
South African Institute of Race Relations
Established in 1929 the South African Institute of Race Relations is a leading research and policy organisation in South Africa. The Institute is "one of the oldest liberal institutions in the country," and is independent of government and all political parties; it sees its role as serving its...
, the University Christian Movement and the National Union of South African Students
National Union of South African Students
The National Union of South African Students was an important force for Liberalism in South Africa in the latter part of the last century...
. "There was no charge sheet, witnesses were unaware of other evidence given, and were unable to cross-examine or lead evidence" (Merrett 1995:60). Among the commission's more prominent members was Kobie Coetsee
Kobie Coetsee
Hendrik Jacobus Coetsee was a South African lawyer, National Party politician and administrator as well as a negotiator during the country's transition to democracy....
, National Party MP for Bloemfontein and later Minister of Justice.
The influence of the Commission extended for over a decade, with Schlebusch warning the South African Council of Churches
South African Council of Churches
The South African Council of Churches is an interdenominational forum in South Africa. It was a prominent anti-apartheid organisation during the years of apartheid in South Africa. Its leaders have included Desmond Tutu, Beyers Naudé and Frank Chikane....
not to speak out against security legislation, fund political trials, or support political detainees.
Commission reports and their consequences
The commission's released its 4th interim report on 12 August 1974, dealing with the National Union of South African Students (Nusas), with particular attention to its Wages Commission. Consequently, Nusas and its affiliates were declared an affected organisation on September 13, and its foreign funding cut off.The commission's 5th interim report declared South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) publications to be propaganda, but the organization was not deemed "affected".
In May 1975 the Christian Institute of Southern Africa (CI) was declared affected.
Employees who declined to provide evidence to the commission against their organizations were charged in court and some were convicted. Four SAIRR and nine CI officials were charged for refusing to give evidence. Because the state refused to make the commission's findings available to court, proceedings were often delayed.
Other Schlebusch commissions
In 1980 the state convened the Commission of Inquiry on the Constitution, with Schlebusch as chair.In 1985 Schlebusch chaired a commission that examined remuneration of various members of government.
See also
- Alwyn SchlebuschAlwyn SchlebuschAlwyn Schlebusch was the only holder of the title Vice State President of South Africa from 1 January 1981 to 14 September 1984...
- Beyers NaudeBeyers NaudéChristiaan Frederick Beyers Naudé was a South African cleric, theologian and the leading Afrikaner anti-apartheid activist...
- The Christian Institute of Southern AfricaChristian Institute of Southern AfricaThe Christian Institute of Southern Africa was an ecumenical progressive organisation founded by English and Afrikaans clergy in December 1963 to unite South African Christians against apartheid...
- The National Union of South African StudentsNational Union of South African StudentsThe National Union of South African Students was an important force for Liberalism in South Africa in the latter part of the last century...
- The South African Institute of Race RelationsSouth African Institute of Race RelationsEstablished in 1929 the South African Institute of Race Relations is a leading research and policy organisation in South Africa. The Institute is "one of the oldest liberal institutions in the country," and is independent of government and all political parties; it sees its role as serving its...
- The University Christian Movement