Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission today granted amnesty to four African National Congress members for killing Grahamstown lawyer Alistair Weakly and Glen Weakly at Port St Johns in the Transkei on April 13, 1993.
Pumelele Hermanus, Mlulami Maxhayi, Lungile Mazwi and Fundisile Guleni were also granted amnesty for the attempted murders of Keith Rumble, Thomas O'Keefe and Brett Rumble. The Committee found that the killings of the Weakley brothers had a political motive.
The Committee felt that the applicants have not exaggerated their case and it was clear that the victims were at the wrong place at the wrong time.
It could have been anyone else and clearly the reason for the applicants actions were related to the assassination of SACP leader Chris Hani.
The panel concluded that their actions were associated with a political objective and all relevant facts related to these crimes have been disclosed. There was no evidence that they acted for personal gain or out of malice.
The dependants of the deceased and those injured in the attack were declared victims by the Committee and referred to the Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee for consideration.
The applicants testified that on April 10, 1993, Hani was assassinated and this sparked violence in many parts of the country. As a result they decided to attack the deceased and victims who were holiday makers in the area in retaliation for the Hani murder.
Meanwhile, three APLA members from Fort Beaufort were also granted amnesty for robbery and a for shot belonging to Giovanni Francescatto on September 6, 1992 and unlawful possession of a shotgun and ammunition.
Sipho Mabhuti Kiko, Winile Veveza and Mzwamadoda Yengeni shot Francescatto with a pistol and the applicants claimed that they were carrying out orders of an APLA commander to attack white houses in town and repossess weapons for APLA cadres use.
Inquiries : Phila Ngqumba 082 458 8463.
19 August 1999