Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Committee
July 5, 1996
STATEMENT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON AMNESTY OF THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will hear amnesty applications later this month from six prisoners serving sentences of between 13 and 20 years for crimes including murder.
The Committee holds its next round of hearings in Pretoria, at a venue provided by the CSIR, between July 15 and 19.
The six applicants were tried in two cases in the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court:
Hendrik Gerber and Johan Andre van Eyk were convicted of the murder of Mr Samuel Kganakga and sentenced on February 19, 1993. Gerber was jailed for 20 years and Van Eyk for 15 years.
Four brothers and alleged AWB supporters - Adriaan van Straaten, Willem Jacobus van Straaten, Gideon van Straaten and Dawid Petrus van Straaten - were convicted of murder and robbery, and sentenced on May 14, 1991. They did not disclose their victim's name in their amnesty applications. Willem Jacobus van Straaten was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, and his brothers to 13 years.
The Amnesty Committee moves to Kroonstad in the week beginning July 22, where it will hear applications from prisoners serving sentences in the nearby prison. The names of these applicants will be released later.
Inquiries: Sello Rabothata, 082- 458-8462