Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
STATEMENT BY DR ALEX BORAINE Acting Chairperson Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Heidelberg Tavern massacre initially fell outside of the cut-off date as set out in the Act. As a result of the extension from 5 December 1993 to 10 May 1994, those involved in the massacre, both as victims and perpetrators, could approach the Commission, if they chose to do so.
After 10 May our Investigative Unit started preparations for possible amnesty applications. In the course of these investigations one of our investigators came across a statement which he found in the security force files. The statement alleged that a car that was at the time owned by Commissioner Dumisa Ntsebeza was used by the perpetrators as a get-away vehicle.
The investigator reported this immediately to Mr Ntsebeza, as head of our Investigative Unit. He told the investigator that the investigation must continue. He immediately had a meeting with Archbishop Tutu and myself and shared this information with us and indicated that there was no truth in the allegation and denied that his car could possibly have been used, but appreciated that the investigation would have to continue and recused himself entirely from the investigation.
The investigation has continued, not under the supervision of Mr Ntsebeza, but the National Director of the Investigative Unit, Adv Glenn Goosen.
Although a number of interviews have been held and a search has been made for any corroboration of this particular statement, no such evidence has been forthcoming.
I understand further that in the amnesty applications which have been lodged by the three perpetrators currently in prison, no mention is made of Mr Ntsebeza's car.
As with all investigations, no matter who is involved, we will pursue this until we have exhausted all possibilities.
Cape Town Friday 25 July 1997
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