Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
STATEMENT BY THE WESTERN/NORTHERN CAPE OFFICE OF THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ON GUGULETU SEVEN EVENT HEARING
4 FEBRUARY 1997
The Investigative Unit of the Western Cape Region has asked six policemen to return to a Human Rights Violations hearing on the Guguletu Seven to finish their evidence and the TRC's questions on the matter. Nine former and current policeman were subpoenaed in November last year in terms of Section 29 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act (1995) to give evidence at the event hearing.
Due to time constraints on 28 November 1996, the evidence of only three of them were heard. The three were: Superintendent William Rudolf Liebenberg, Senior Superintendent John Johannes George Christoffel Kleyn and retired Colonel Cornelius Adolf Janse Odendal.
The other six policeman are due to be heard at a hearing on 17 and 18 February to be held at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Klipfontein Road, Athlone (opposite the Athlone Civic). Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The six are (with current ranks):
Senior Superintendent John Martin Sterrenberg
Senior Superintendent Leonard Knipe
Detective Inspector Karel Bothma
Detective Inspector Andre Grobbelaar
Inspector Bertram Oswald Moggee
Detective Inspector Louis Ferdinand Coetzee
Seven young men died, allegedly in a shoot-out 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 trial involving journalist, Tony Weaver, subsequent to the event.
During the previous session evidence emerged that the security police unit at Vlakplaas might have been involved in the killing.
The TRC has again notified the families of the deceased and other witnesses who testified at the previous event hearing at a follow-up workshop during January. They have again been invited to the upcoming hearings.
The names of the Guguletu 7 are: Zandisile Zenith Mjobo, Zola Alfred Swelani, Mandla Simon Mxinwa, Godfrey Jabulani Miya, Themba Mlifi, Zabonke John Konile and Christopher Piet.
The Truth Commissioners who will sit on the hearing panel are: Adv Denzil Potgieter SC, Mr Dumisa Ntsebeza, Ms Glenda Wilschut, Ms Mary Burton and Human Rights Violations committee member, Ms Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela.
For further inquiries please call Christelle at 0824588461.
Thank you.