Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
12 January 1998
STATEMENT BY THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
The Amnesty Committee has scheduled a one-day hearing for Wednesday 14 January to conclude outstanding evidence in the Heidelberg Tavern Massacre matter.
The hearing of three amnesty applications relating to the massacre in 1993 was held in October last year, but was postponed after the controversy surrounding Guguletu gardener, Mr Bennett Sibaya, who alleged a commissioner to have driven a get-away car after the massacre in December 1993.
Mr Sibaya later retracted his evidence, leading to the Commission requesting an independent inquiry to investigate the matter. Judge Richard Goldstone was appointed to the one-man Commission and has subsequently concluded his investigation into the matter. His report will be tabled at Wednesday's hearing.
Mr Sibaya, as well as the three applicants, Vuyisile Madasi, Luyanda Gqomfa and Zola Mabela will be present at the hearing for further questioning.
The amnesty panel consisting of Judge Hassen Mall, Judge Wilson and Adv Ntsiki Sandi, originally asked for a postponement in order to obtain further ballistics evidence, in terms of the type of ammunition used by the attackers and to confirm the positions the applicants alleged they shot from.
The hearing will start at 09h00 am in the Cape Town office at 106 Adderley Street. Broadcast journalist can arrange for feeds by phoning Sol Terblanche on 0825724221.
For more information, please call Christelle Terreblanche on 0824588461 or 021-245161.