Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has granted amnesty to an African National Congress member convicted of trespassing and illegal picketing in the Western Cape between 1989 and 1990.
Matthew Gaylard, now based in Durban, was convicted of erecting and occupying a shack on State property in Stellenbosch as part of a protest action called by the town's Housing Action Committee. The protest was aimed at exposing the failure of the previous government to provide housing for black communities.
Gaylard was also convicted for participating in illegal picketing organised by the National Union of South African Students (Nusas) calling for the unbanning of the ANC. He was fined for both offences.
His amnesty application was processed in chambers as his offences did not constitute a gross violation of human rights as defined in the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act. His name will be expunged from criminal records in relation to the offences.