Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
May 4, 1997
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has made an impassioned appeal to South Africans right across the political spectrum who were involved in political acts which might lead to criminal charges or civil actions for damages to apply for amnesty within the next six days.
His appeal was recorded for broadcast tonight on SABC Television's popular programme, TRC Special Report.
The deadline for amnesty applications is midnight on Saturday May 10. After the deadline has passed, people who have committed acts, omissions or offences which are associated with political objectives and who have not applied for amnesty will be liable for prosecution or civil actions.
"This is a cry from the heart," Archbishop Tutu said. "I appeal to all of you, right across the political spectrum, please take this golden opportunity to apply for amnesty on the most generous terms possible."
His appeal selected a number of categories of people for special mention:
- Members of the Security Forces, including those involved in cross-border operations; - Township activists such as those in Self-Defence Units; - Other township residents such as those living in hostels; - Operatives of Military Intelligence and the CCB; and - Leaders of political parties.
The categories identified include elements of the former South African Defence Force such as the Directorate of Special Tasks, the Directorate of Covert Collection, Special Forces ("Spesmagte") and national servicemen who witnessed or have knowledge of acts which could lead to prosecutions or civil actions.
Also speaking to Special Report, Archbishop Tutu warned: "As far as the TRC is concerned, blanket amnesty is out."
Dealing with suggestions that blanket amnesty might have to be given if the Amnesty Committee could not complete its work, he said the Minister of Justice had agreed to a proposal to enlarge the Committee. It could also sit until early next year if necessary.
The full text of the Chairperson's appeal follows:
"THE ARCHBISHOP'S APPEAL TO THE NATION:
"Dear Fellow South Africans:
"This is a cry from the heart. May the 10th is just around the corner on Saturday. That is the deadline for applications for amnesty. I appeal to all of you, right across the political spectrum, please take this golden opportunity to apply for amnesty on the most generous terms possible.
"This applies to you, leaders of political parties, this applies to you, people who were in the Security Forces. It applies to you who were involved in cross-border raids, because you are exposed to the possibility of civil proceedings for damages against you by those who were victims of your operations.
"I appeal to you who were in SDUs in the townships, to you in the hostels.
"I appeal to you who were in the CCB and Military Intelligence."
"This amnesty is one that would expunge any criminal or civil liability you are likely to have. Please come forward because this is an opportunity to put the past behind you; to help in the process of your own healing and the healing of this beautiful land. Please come."
His comments regarding the possibility of blanket amnesty being granted if the TRC cannot finish its work follow:
"We have asked the Minister of Justice and he has agreed to our request that the Amnesty Committee should be enlarged. This is in order to ensure that all the applications are dealt with by our committee. We hope that it would be able to have finished its work at best at the end of this year. It just might be necessary for them to continue into the first part of next year before we present our report in March. As far as the TRC is concerned blanket amnesty is out. It would make nonsense of all the work we have done hitherto to say because we are unable to deal with the applications, let us now grant blanket amnesty. It would be very difficult to justify to the victims...."
Inquiries: John Allen, 082-452-7859