Issued by the Office of the Deputy President
The Reverend Frank Chikane, the Director-General in the Office of the Deputy President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, and Vice President and Pastor of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa, has written a letter to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) inquiring as to whether or not anyone has applied for indemnity in respect of gross human rights violations perpetrated against him between January 1977 and June 1989. The Revd Frank Chikane also wants to know whether or not anyone has made any disclosures relating to the issue raised above.
Between January 1977 and June 1989 the Rev. Frank Chikane was detained several times without trial, brutally beaten and tortured. His Pimville, Zone 7 house was attacked with petrol-bombs and in 1989 he was poisoned with an organophosphate chemical.
In a letter to Chikane dated 5 November 1996 the Minister of Safety and Security, Mr Sydney Mufamadi, said that Mr Paul Erasmus, who is alleged to have knowledge about the poisoning experience, was in the witness protection programme of the Department of Justice. The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Pretorius, is also reported to have said that subsequent to the recent evidence by former Colonel Eugene de Kock the Attorney-General's Office had become "aware of more names of possible witnesses and/or perpetrators who could assist in this investigation".
As the Police could not gain access to the witnesses it was agreed between the Department of Safety and Security and the Attorney-General that further investigations on this matter be conducted by the Office of the Attorney-General.
Revd. Frank Chikane has expressed serious concern that no progress has been reported to him in this regard. He has written a letter to the Attorney-General of the Transvaal to enquire about progress in this matter.
The Revd. Frank Chikane is also concerned about a report from the Police service that the FBI has destroyed all exhibits such as fluid samples and clothing relating to this incident. Only copies of the medical reports compiled at the time of the incident in the USA are still available.
5 June 1997, Pretoria
Contact person: Thami Ntenteni: Director Communications Office of the Deputy President Tel: (012) 323 0 2502 Cell: 083 5555 118