THE TRC is truly an amazing organization. Former Minister of Justice, Mr. Dullah Omar, describes it as "... a necessary exercise to enable South Africans to come to terms with their past on a morally accepted basis and to advance the cause of reconciliation" (SANDF). And that's the truth. I mean, what would become of South Africa without the Truth and Reconciliation Commission? Criminals would be put in jail for committing heinous crimes against humanity. Crime wouldn't run rampant in our streets. Friends and relatives mourning over victims of apartheid's icy hand of death wouldn't be cruelly reminded of painful memories just beginning to fade. The world would abruptly stop spinning and we'd be flung into space. We'd be cursed with a plague of locusts o'er the land. That last one's kind of pushing it. The point is, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a worthless disease infecting our great country.

So here we have the TRC granting amnesty left and right. Let's examine one of these careful decisions shall we? Andries Stefanus Kriel, Jan Cornelius Labuschagne, Johannes Jacobus Roos Botes, and Daniel Wilhelm Van Der Watt were in charge of a little terror campaign. Two of them underwent training in the manufacture, handling and use of explosives. They planned to bomb state property as well as residential areas, offices, and facilities of African National Congress supporters. The bombing campaign they conducted began on November 9 1993 and lasted until February 7 1994. During that time they placed 21 bombs at different targets. All the bombs were home made. Eleven of the targets were railway lines, three were power installations, four were in residential areas, two were business premises, and one was a school. Now, what did the TRC decide? All four were granted amnesty. This doesn't make sense. Let's say you murdered a hundred infants. Maybe a superior officer ordered you to do it. Maybe you really felt bad about it. You shouldn't be allowed to just walk away from that. Sadly, the TRC begs to differ.

What kind of an example is all of this setting for the rest of the country? You can do anything you want and there will be no consequences? Think of the children. Won't someone please think of the children. They'll run amok and there will be complete and utter chaos. Crime is already outrageous. People are unemployed and they have to eat so they turn to crime. But now we are going to teach them that that's all right? We're going to tell them that you can get away with it if you feel sorry? No, we aren't. But if something is going to be done, it has to start at the TRC.

Finally, why must we cause more suffering for the families of those that have already died? The TRC is forcing them to remember their tragic loses. How can we reconcile and restore piece if we pick away old scabs, reopen the wounds, and pour salt on them? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary describes reconciliation as "to restore to friendship or harmony" (WWWebster). The goal of the TRC is to make peace between South Africans. This can't be done when we dig up painful memories.

To the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, we say no. Where is the truth in letting murderers walk free. Where is the reconciliation? The TRC does nothing but teach our children that you aren't responsible for your actions. South Africa is already ravaged by crime and now the TRC is letting people know that it's ok. On the road of life, there are passengers and there are drivers. But on the road to reconciliation, there's nothing but painful reminders of the loss of loved ones murdered at the hands of savage agents of apartheid and Satan.