Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is appealing to victims of a Wimpy Bar bomb blast in Benoni and an ambush outside Lindela Hostel in Katlehong in 1988 to contact its Cape Town offices in connection with an amnesty hearing early next month arising out of the incidents.
One person was killed and at least 60 others injured when a bomb exploded at a Wimpy Bar in Benoni on July 30, 1988. The victims are believed to be in Daveyton, Wattville, Boksburg, Actonville, Duduza, Impala Park, Benoni and Johannesburg. The TRC has managed to contact some of the victims but there are others it has not been able to trace.
Three months later six policemen were wounded when their van came under attack from high-calibre weapons near Lindela Hostel in Katlehong on October 12 the same year. The injured policemen were Mr Herman Bilankulu, Mr Amos Mbalekelwa Ngubeni, Mr Samuel Bongani Shabalala, Mr Letas Ronald Mashele and Mr Victor Mbasa.
Four people have applied for amnesty for the incidents. Tebogo Kebotlhale, Molwedi Mokoena, Phumzile Sigasa and Elgas Mabore Ndhlovu, who declare themselves as African National Congress members, are applying for amnesty for both incidents.
According to the law which governs the operations of the TRC, victims and/ their next of kin and any other interested party have a right to adduce evidence and be legally represented at the hearing.
The hearing will take place at Benoni City Hall from September 7 to 11.
Victims can contact Ms Thabile Thabethe at 021- 245 161 or Mr Knut Vanvik on 082-458-9968.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Vuyani Green, 082- 452-7858 (on victim appeal) Mdu Lembede, 082- 458-8464 (to cover hearing)