The setting up of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was agreed between parties after South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.
The commission held its inaugural hearing on April 15th, 1996.
It had three panels investigating human rights abuses, amnesty and reparations.
To get amnesty, under the commission's rules, the perpetrator had to show the violence used was proportionate and politically motivated, and to make full disclosure and prove remorse.
Out of 7,115 amnesty applications, 1,154 were approved and a further 150 people got partial amnesty. One of the most controversial amnesties was given to five former security officers who admitted to beating black leader Steve Biko to death in 1977 but still claimed his killing was accidental.
More than 21,000 victim statements were taken. Some human rights groups estimate that only about a sixth of all gross human rights violations were addressed.
The commission wound down in July 1998 and issued its report three months later, finding the apartheid state to be most culpable for the abuses that took place. The ANC and other opposition groups were also criticised, however, with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela strongly condemned for sponsoring murder.
Joe Humphreys