Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Monday 10 March 1997
Media release by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about Amnesty Hearings in the Eastern Cape
Up to 14 amnesty applications from people serving sentences in Eastern Cape jails will be heard when the Amnesty Committee sits in East London next week
The public hearings, to be held in the Robbie de Lange Hall, are scheduled for three days from Monday 17 March to Wednesday 19 March.
The applicants include several members of the ANC Youth League (Ancyl) , one from Azapo and three former Ciskei policemen.
They are:
- Kwanele Enough Toba, Wakhile Thomson and Jonginkosi Wellington Makom are former Ciskei policemen who were convicted of varcommitted in 1987. Makom is held in Middledrift Prison and the other two in Mdantsane. They say they acted on orders to detain certain people regarding anti- Ciskei activities at the time. The assaults took place while these people, including a number of women, were in detention.
- Don Johnson Ntsikelelo (26), currently serving a sentence in St. Alban's prison in Port Elizabeth for the February 1991 murder of Mrs Nomsa Hanabe, then mayoress of Klipplaat. He was also convicted of possession of firearms and ammunition. Ntsikelelo says he was a member of the ANC/SACP alliance.
- Tobani Makrosi (30) and Tyibilika Bonakela (24) have applied for amnesty in connection with two counts of kidnapping from the Inyibaba High School during February 1993. The abductions of which they were convicted took place during fighting at the school bets he is a member of the ANC. One of the two women abducted died, but they were acquitted of responsibility. They are currently held in Fort Beaufort Prison.
- Seven people who declare themselves as members of the Ancyl are applying for amnesty in relation to the murder of Mrs Nohmbile Mphambani in April 1993, of which they were convicted. The seven, held in Mdantsane Prison in East London, are: Mvuyisi Raymond Ngwendu; Mzimhle Elvis Bam; Dumisani Ernest Mbhebe; Ndumiso Mdyogolo; Sikhumbuzo Victor Mphmbane; Sakhumzi Bheqesi; Andile Namathe Gola. They are between 22 and 25 years old.
- Nwenkwe Alfred Madela (41), who says he is a former Regional Chairperson of Azapo and is serving a sentence in St. Alban's Prison in Port Elizabeth, has applied for amnesty in respect of various offences in December 1993 including arson, malicious damage to property, kidnapping and possession of fire-arms, of which he was convicted.
Notices have been given to victims informing them of their right to attend the hearings and to adduce evidence. The hearings are due to start at 09h00 am.
For more information, please call Phila Ngqumba at 082-458-8463.