Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Two big amnesty hearings involving two panels of the Amnesty Committee of the TRC will hear amnesty applications of the Thokoza Self Defence Units on the East Rand later this month.
The hearings involving 135 Self Defence Unit applicants from Thokoza and Katlehong communities, will start from November 23 to December 11, 1998.
The first amnesty panel will sit at the Vosloorus Community Centre while the second will be at the Palm Ridge Community Centre near Thokoza.
Among the applicants are SDU commanders, ordinary members of SDU's and the political leadership of the townships who sat in meetings of the central command.
Women who provided food and often hid weapons for SDU's have also applied, as well as youths between 12 and 13 who acted in their capacity as lookouts for the units. A doctor who treated wounded SDU members have also applied.
Most of the applicants have never been arrested for the acts for which they are applying which include skirmishes with SADF patrols and policemen. Rival political organisation members frequently exchanged fire during marches leading to loss of lives.
For more information call Mbulelo Sompetha on 082 452 7870