Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
February 5, 1997
Eight convicted prisoners serving long sentences for murders allegedly committed during political conflict in KwaZulu-Natal are scheduled to apply for amnesty next week.
Two former policemen, three alleged supporters of the ANC and three alleged supporters of the IFP will be appearing during a session of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Amnesty Committee at the Edendale Lay Ecumenical Centre, Pietermaritzburg.
The applications to be heard next week are listed in chronological order:
William Basil Harington, 27, and Frans Stephanus Erasmus, 27, were constables in the SAP Riot Unit in Pietermaritzburg when they killed Mr Mbongeni Jama in the Elandskop area. They were convicted of murder and robbery in a trial which attracted widespread publicity when the presiding judge criticised politicians and top police officers for not supporting policemen on the ground.
Harington was sentenced in February 1992 to eight years jail, but the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court increased the sentence on appeal to 18 years. Erasmus was sentenced to six years and had his sentence doubled on appeal. Both men identify themselves in their amnesty application as AWB members. (Hearing due: February 10.)
Celinhlahla Zenith Mzimela, 31, who describes himself as an ANC member and general secretary of the Ongoye Youth Branch, is serving 15 years imprisonment for the murder of Mr Mkhononodaka Gumede, an IFP supporter, at Ongoye in the Makholokholo Reserve, Mthunzini district, on February 29, 1992. He was sentenced in May 1995. (Hearing due: February 11.)
Robert Vo Zuma, 27, and Mduduzi Mpitshana Gumbi, 25, describe themselves as IFP supporters, and were part of a group which attacked an ANC stronghold in Richmond on June 23, 1991.
Zuma was convicted on six counts of murder and five of attempted murder, and was jailed for 12 years. Gumbi was convicted on six counts of murder and one of attempted murder, and jailed for nine years. They were sentenced in November 1991. (Hearing due: February 11.)
Msizi Jethro Hlophe, 26, who describes himself as a member of the Inkatha Youth Brigade, is serving 22 years imprisonment on two counts of murder for killing UDF boys. He was sentenced in May 1991. (Hearing due: February 12)
Mkheyi Henry Khanyile is serving a 20-year sentence for the murder of three members of the Ngcobo family - Mrs Nomakhemese Ngcobo, 72, Mavis, 38, and Andile, 2. He was also convicted on two counts of attempted murder. The victims were alleged associated with the IFP.
The killings took place in Nomhele Reserve in the Mapumulo District in March 1992. He was sentenced in August 1995. (Hearing due: February 13.)
Bheki Fred Mbuyazi, 25, is a self-proclaimed ANC supporter serving a 24-year jail sentence for murder and assault, including the killing of Mr Phuthaza Mthembu, in the Ingwavuma District in September 1990. He was sentenced in September 1991. (Hearing due: February 13 or 14.)