Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
27 MAY 1997
The Western Cape Investigative Unit has served Section 29 notices on four community leaders and four former members of state or security force structures to appear at a three day Special Event Hearing next month focusing on violence in the informal settlements (squatter camps) near Cape Town during the eighties.
Those served with Section 29 Subpoenas are: Community leaders, Mr Melford Yamile, retired UDF leader; Mr Sam Ndima, former Witdoeke leader; Mr Gladstone Ntamo, former community leader in KTC and Mr Johnson Ngxobongwana, former community leader and now National Party Member of the Provincial Legislature.
The former security and state personnel are: Mr Ulrich Schelhase, a member of the former Black Local Authority; retired Detective Sergeant Phillipus du Toit (then a warrant officer in the SAP Special Branch); retired Colonel Trevor Vermeulen (then secretary of the Joint Management Council in the area); and retired Colonel Dolf Odendal (former SAP Internal Stability Unit).
The eight are required to answer questions and/or provide evidence during the hearings relating to events in the Cape Flats informal settlements during 1985/86. They are entitled to appoint legal representatives to assist them. If they are not financially capable of doing so, the commission may appoint a lawyer for them.
The Special Event Hearing will take place from Monday, June 9 until Wednesday, June 11 at St Gabriel's Catholic Church on NY5 in Guguletu. About eleven victims of violence in KTC, Nyanga and Crossroads, will testify about gross human rights violations during the first day of the hearings. These violations include killings, necklacings and cases of severe ill treatment.
On Tuesday the four community leaders will be given the oppor- tunity to express their view of events. Wednesday, the last day, will be devoted to questioning of the remaining four subpoenaed.
Between 1975 and 1983 these informal settlements were subjected to amongst others ongoing police raids, demolition's with bulldozers and arson. Ongoing leadership struggles in the communities also led to deaths and assault, with the emphasis on conflict between conservative and pro-liberation forces.
It was however during the mid-eighties that conflict escalated dramatically, leading to many deaths and leaving thousands homeless and wounded. Security forces, local authorities, community leaders and the so-called Witdoeke are all alleged to have played a role in the conflict.
The hearings will focus on the period between 1985 and 1986 and will amonst others give special attention to the plight suffered by women during this strife torn period.
The Sunday before the start of the hearings, a special church service will be held at the Anglican Church in Nyanga East at 14h30 pm. Both the service and the hearings will be open to the public.
Media can call Christelle Terreblanche for more information on 021-245161 (during office hours) or on 0824588461 (cellular).