Issued by Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission today granted amnesty to Bongani Charles Zwane for three murders, attempted murder and possession of a firearm, ammunition and explosives.
The committee found that Zwane participated in the killings of Masango Thshabala, Nomrod Nkumanda, Jabulane Mngoma and attempted murder of Mbulelo Kapu in execution of an order given to him by his commander. The applicant believed that the killings of the policemen would further the political struggle which was waged by the ANC against the regime.
The panel said that the applicant, a former MK member, met with the requirements of the Act in making a full disclosure and by proving a political motive. Zwane committed these offences on January 20, 1998 at Meadowlands in Johannesburg.
Zwane testified that it was the policy of the ANC to target policemen in general for elimination and that when he was ordered to identify a place where the targets could be found, he knew that the objective of such identification was to eliminate them. The Committee referred the relatives of the deceased and victims to the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee for consideration.
Also granted amnesty was Mcedisi Oats Jodwana from Grahamstown for one murder and six attempted murders. The deceased Collen Vaaltyn and victims were believed to be police informers by the applicant. The committee found that Jodwana committed these acts in the bona fide belief that victims were police informers.
The panel concluded that Jodwana had complied with the requirements of the Act. The mother of the deceased, Nozibele Patosi and six victims were referred to the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee for consideration.
Phila Ngqumba : 082 458 8463.
August 13, 1999