Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
19 August 1997
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION AND HEAD OF THE INVESTIGATIVE UNIT, COMMISSIONER DUMISA NTSEBEZA
Mr Joe Verster, former Managing Director of the Civil Cooperation Bureau (CCB) was advised in two rulings during an in camera Section 29 Inquiry today to allow the media to take his photograph and to answer questions by the Investigative Unit on the former CCB's foreign operations and operatives.
These rulings were made in the interest of openness and transparency, and in order to enable the TRC to comply with it's statutory obligations. They follow after Mr Verster and his legal counsel refused photographs to be taken yesterday, the first day of the inquiry. However, I was not convinced that his life or career would be at risk if his photograph appears in the media. I also pointed out that the TRC has a witness protection programme, but he refused to apply for that.
In the case of foreign operations and operatives who worked under him, I gave him an undertaking that a Section 29 inquiry could not be used by foreign attorneys-general to prosecute him or anybody he names.Mr Verster is still refusing to answer questions or give evidence on foreign CCB operations. As chairperson of the inquiry, I pointed out to him the provisions of Section 39 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act of 1996, which provides for sentences of R2000 or two years imprisonment if a witness does not cooperate fully with the Commission or hinders the work of the TRC in any way.
Mr Verster was the first former CCB member to testify before the TRC. On Thursday, 21 August, Mr Abram "Slang" van Zyl will appear at a Section 29 inquiry in Cape Town and the following day, another former member, Mr Wouter Basson, alias Christo Brits, will appear before the Investigative Unit. Both were members of the CCB's Region 6. Mr Basson (alias Brits) is not to be confused with the Dr WouterBasson already subpoenaed to appear before the TRC in terms of alleged activities of the former SADF.
For more information, please call Christelle Terreblanche at 082 4588461