JUDGE APPOINTED TO CHAIR VIOLENT EVENTS

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government

22 February 1997

JUDGE APPOINTED TO CHAIR COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE VIOLENT EVENTS OF 6 FEBRUARY 1997

• The Premier of Gauteng, Tokyo Sexwale, has appointed Judge Johan Froneman to chair a Commission of Inquiry, which will inquire into and report on the causes of violence and occurrences in Eldorado Park, Westbury, Reiger Park and Noordgesig on 6 February 1997.
• The appointment of the Commission follows the death of, at least, three people who died during those events and the injury of 200 others. Damage to property resulting from the events of that day is estimated at R3-million.
• The Commission of Inquiry will specifically report:

a. The conduct of the police on that day.

b. The conduct of the organisers of the stayaway and public gatherings.

c. The conduct of the relevant local authority.

d. The conduct of the members of the public.

e. Whether or not the conduct of any of the above prima facia involves or amounts to an offence on the part of any person or persons and, if so, what the identity of such a person or persons is.

f. Whether the police, the relevant local authority and organisers took the precautions which should reasonably have been taken in advance of the stayaway and public gatherings.

• If the Commission is unable to report on any such matters, it shall record that fact.
• The Commission shall begin its work on 25 February 1997 and will report to the Premier on 28 March 1997.
• However, for the Commission to get into the root of the problem and thereby ensure that all the interested parties take the necessary steps to prevent such occurrences in future, the communities in the affected areas and all the relevant stakeholders are urged to cooperate with the Commission. A briefing meeting with all interested parties will be held on Tuesday, 25 February 1997, at 14h00 at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Auditorium, President Street, Johannesburg.
• Judge Froneman has requested all interested parties to prepare a written statement, to be handed to the Commission on or before Wednesday, 5 March 1997. Each Party's written statement should contain a statement of facts, the party's theory as to causes of the violence, steps taken so far to reduce or avoid violence in the immediate future and proposal to avoid future violence.
• The Gauteng Provincial government would like to assure all the people of Gauteng that the findings and the recommendations of the Inquiry will be considered and acted upon as a matter of urgency.

Statement issued by the Directorate of Communication and Public Relations, Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government. If you have any queries, please contact Noel Ndhlovu at telephone number 082 578 3326