Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Commission faces the unfortunate prospect of having to reject half of all amnesty applications received from people claiming allegiance to the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC).
Of the approximately 260 applications received from the PAC, 132 provide only code names and political affiliations of applicants. No real names or specifics of acts in respect of which amnesty is sought are given. (See sample amnesty application attached.) Nor is there sufficient information to enable the Commission to establish further particulars without further help from the party and/or individuals.
If further particulars are not provided to the Amnesty Committee expeditiously, the applications - being incomplete - will have to be rejected in terms of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act.
A letter was sent to the Secretary-General of the PAC on November 26 last year, noting that a previous attempt to secure the necessary particulars had been unsuccessful, and urging him to help us by providing the outstanding information. The letter included the full list of amnesty applicants by code names. In addition, a list of the incomplete applications was handed over to an office bearer of the party.
A reminder was sent on January 21 this year, with a copy of the November letter. To date we have received neither replies to nor acknowledgements of either letter.
In terms of Section 20 of the Act under which the TRC operates, an amnesty applicant has to make out a case for amnesty, including a full disclosure of the act(s) for which amnesty is sought. If disclosure is not made, the Amnesty Committee has no option but to refuse the application in terms of Section 19 (3) of the Act.
The Commission is grateful to the PAC for its co-operation in other matters and today's meeting noted that the Amnesty Committee has resolved to make a final appeal to the party to ensure applications from their members meet the requirements of the Act.
The other applications from PAC members have been identified as hearable matters and are being prepared for hearings.
Inquiries: John Allen. 082- 452-7859