Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
12 March 1998
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is appealing for the family of Mr Potokar Franzar Makgalemele, a taxi-driver killed by an AWB member in Gauteng in August 1989, to come forward for an amnesty hearing.
Cornelius Johannes Lottering has applied for amnesty in respect of the killing and is due to appear before the Amnesty Committee in Pretoria on Monday March 23. The TRC has been unable to trace Mr Makgalemele's family, who have the right to attend and be represented at the amnesty hearing.
Mr Makgalemele was killed near Daleside Ski Club south of Johannesburg. Lottering, accompanied by AWB member Fanie Goosen, fatally stabbed and shot Mr Makgalemele as he attempted to run away. To make sure Mr Makgalemele was dead, Lottering shot him in the head. He says in his amnesty application that he saw this as a test to see if he could kill a person.
Lottering who was a member of the Orde van die Dood, under the leadership of Dawid de Beer (who had also been head of administration of the Aquila wing of the AWB), was allegedly tasked to kill prominent political figures such as the President and Cabinet ministers.
The applicant and his co-accused also faced charges of malicious damage to property, attempted intimidation, robbery and unlawful possession of weapons and ammunition. They have not applied for amnesty in respect of these offences.
Attempts to locate Fanie Goosen have also proved unsuccessful. His mother has told the TRC she does not know his where he is. However, notice of the hearing has been sent to the AWB, via Eugene Terreblanche, who is an implicated party in this matter.
For more information, contact Mbulelo Sompetha at 082- 452-7870