Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Amnesty Committee of the TRC will be hearing amnesty applications on SDU members involved in the violence in Thokoza and Katlehong between 1991 and 1994. The hearing has been scheduled to resume on November 30 at the JISS Centre in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
The committee is calling victims of the SDU violence, their families and relatives, to contact the committee so that their interests can be represented at the hearing.
Seventeen amnesty applications are to be heard starting on Monday, November 30. The applications, the applicants recall the incidents and place of occurrence, but do not know the names of the victims they killed.
Seventeen of the 34 applications, have been withdrawn due to lack of specific acts as required by the ACT governing TRC operations. Five of the applications will be heard in chambers.
The Amnesty Committee would like to meet the families of the two men who were shot dead at Mohanoe Street in August, 1990. The applicants killed these men, do not know their names.
The Committee would also like to meet with Themba Mnguni who used to stay in Everest, Thokoza during 1992. It would also like to meet with Mr Mazibuko who used to reside at Extention 2 next to Mhlabuzile school in Thokoza.
The committee would like to meet with a teacher who used to teach at Mkhathizwe School concerning an incident that happened on July 13, 1993.
The TRC is also calling on families of victims who were either killed or injured during an attack by SDU's on April 19, 1994 at Mshayazafe Hostel. In the incident, a Star Photo Journalist, Ken Oosterbroek was killed during a firefight between SDU's hostel dwellers and Internal Stability Unit members.
The families of the victims of the shack burning incident in Mazibuko Street in Thokoza in 1993 are also asked to approach the Amnesty Committee.
Families of Peter Siwase of Phola park who was abducted from his home in Phola Park between 1991 and 1992 are also being asked to appear before the committee.
The TRC is also expecting the family of the Bad Boys gang members who was killed by students at Khaki Street - Thokoza in 1991, to avail themselves during its next sitting on Monday 30 at JISS Centre, Mayfair, Johannesburg. Another member of the Bad Boys gang was later killed in July 1992 at Unit F in Thokoza.
The Amnesty Committee of the TRC would like Constable S. Dowler and Constable Smith who were attacked on December 1 at Brackendowns near Alberton to contact the commission as soon as possible.
For information call Lebo Molete on 082 441 6090 or attend the hearing at the JISS Centre, corner Battery and Queens Road, Mayfair on Monday November 30, 1998.
Media Information: Mbulelo Sompeta 082 452 7870