Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
January 30, 1997
The Investigative Unit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has reported that amnesty applications submitted to the Commission have provided substantial new information on the bombing of Khotso House, Johannesburg, Khanya House, Pretoria and COSATU House, Johannesburg.
The Commission has received:
There are also seven applications relating to threats and bombings of cinemas where the film "Cry Freedom" was shown.
The unit reported to the TRC today: "It is clear from the applications that we have already received that we have made serious inroads into SAP illegal activities. However, we have not as yet been so successful with the involvement of the military or with the official structures of the liberation movements.
"We intend embarking on a programme to place pressure on these institutions which will hopefully lead to an extension in the scope of the amnesty applications we receive."
The unit has carried out a preliminary statistical analysis of a sample of amnesty applications submitted by members of the former South African Police.
This indicates that about 135 applicants have claimed responsibility for the killing of about 200 people, 30 bombings, 20 abductions and 15 thefts and burglaries, as well as various other miscellaneous offences.
In total these applicants have applied for amnesty in respect of more than 300 different incidents.
The great majority of applications are from members of the former Security Branch of the South African Police, sprd Zeerust to Durban.
However there are also applications from people who worked for counter-insurgency, intelligence, explosives, murder and robbery and technical units of the SAP, as well as members of the detective and uniformed branches.
Inquiries: John Allen, 082- 452-7859