Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
27 March 1998
ADVISORY FROM THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
The amnesty hearing relating to the death of Black Consciousness Movement leader Steve Bantu Biko while in police detention in 1977 resumes on Monday next week March 30 at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's headquarters in Cape Town.
Five former Port Elizabeth security policemen are applying for amnesty for their role in the killing of Mr Biko. They are Harold Snyman, Daniel Petrus Siebert, Jacobus Johannes Oosthuizen Beueke, Rubin Marx and Gideon Johannes Niewoudt.
Four of the applicants testified before the amnesty committee last year in Port Elizabeth. Next week, the amnesty committee will hear Niewoudt's testimony.
The former security policemen are applying for amnesty for assault on Mr Peter Cyril Jones between August and September in 1977 and for their role in the assault and death of Mr Biko on September 6 in the same year.
During the previous hearing, the amnesty committee heard that Mr Biko was arrested, handcuffed and assaulted while in detention in Port Elizabeth. He was then transported to Pretoria where he later died allegedly due to head injuries.
The hearing will continue until April 1 at the 106 Adderley Street, Cape Town. Mr Justice Ronnie Pillay will chair the hearing.
Enquiries: Vuyani Green, 0824595464