South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) entered its final phase yesterday, when, in its last hearing, the committee charged with investigating human rights abuses heard evidence from a former soldier dubbed "Dr Death". Dr Wouter Basson, who headed the chemical and biological weapons programme under the previous government, denied that there had ever been a plot to poison President Nelson Mandela while he was still a prisoner.
Dr Basson, who faces criminal charges of conspiracy to murder and possession of two tonnes of drugs, said yesterday: "My instruction was to investigate all possible threats against Mr Mandela . . . I drew up a plan to ensure he lived."
Earlier testimony at the special hearing on chemical and biological warfare, included references to the manufacture of race-sensitive drugs developed to hone in on blacks only.
Contrary to media reports, the life of the TRC did not end yesterday: its amnesty committee has only completed about a fifth of its scheduled public hearings and its commissioners are still drafting their final report to Mr Mandela, due on October 31st.