Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
12 NOVEMBER 1996
Nine current and former policeman from the Western Cape have been served notices by the Western Cape Investigative Unit during the last 24 hours in terms of Section 29 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act (1995).
The nine will be required to testify at a public Event Hearing on what is known as the Guguletu Seven to be held in Cape Town on 27 and 28 November. The event hearing will make up the last two days of the three day hearings on human rights violations in the Peninsula to be held in the TRC Head Office from November 26.
In terms of the notices they are required to produce before the TRC such evidence as video and sound recordings in their possession which may be relevant to the hearing; and will be expected to give evidence and/or to answer questions relating to the Guguletu 7 issue. All nine are scheduled to testify on November 28.
Seven young men died, allegedly at the hands of police, on 3 March, 1986 in Guguletu. Two consecutive inquests cleared the police. They were also absolved from culpability during a trail brought against journalist, Tony Weaver, subsequent to the event. The TRC is currently notifying the families of the deceased and family members of at least five of the victims are expected to make statements at the hearing - amongst other witnesses.
The first day of the hearing will be devoted to other cases of gross human rights violations in the Peninsula during the eighties, amongst others some cases relating to the Pollster March of August 1985, which resulted in upheavals in Western Cape areas like Mitchell's Plain and Bishop Lavis.
Those served with Section 29 notices are (with current ranks):
Police director L. Knipe
Senior Superintendent J. M. Sterrenberg
Senior Superintendent John Johannes George Christoffel Kleyn
Superintendent William Rudolf Liebenberg
Retired Colonel Cornelius Adolf Janse Odendal
Inspector K. Bothma
Inspector A. Grobbelaar
Inspector Bertram Oswald Moggee
Inspector L. Coetzee
Another policeman implicated in the event was Adjudant Officer Hendrik Cornelis Johannes Barnard, who died some years ago.
The Guguletu 7 names are: Zandisile Zenith Mjobo; Zola Alfred Swelani, Mandla Simon Mxinwa, Godfrey Jabulani Miya, Themba Mlifi, Zabonke John Konile and Christopher Piet.
About 100 seats are available for the public and they can book a free ticket by calling Faezo Sydow at 021-245161.
Media wishing to attend should fax their names to Christelle Terreblanche at 021- 245225 before Friday 22 November.
For further inquiries please call Christelle at 0824588461.