September 22, 1999
Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION AMNESTY DECISION
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission today granted amnesty to seven security policemen members including a General for the killing of Solomon Mlonzi, Schoeman Ramokgoba and Moatshe a Botswana citizen at Silent Valley near Derdepoort on May 4, 1983.
The applicants are, General Johannes Steyn, Gideon Van Zyl, Christoffel Smit, Isak Marais, William Smit, Daniel Niewenhuis and Philip Crause.
The Committee also granted amnesty to Wikus Johannes Loots, a Regional Commander of the Western Transvaal Security Branch for the killing of Mlonzi and Ramokgoba.
Loots was refused amnesty for the killing of Moatshe. On May 4, 1983, Phillip Crause a Branch ommander of the Security Police in Zeerust was allegedly informed by Moatshe that he would be transporting two MK operatives through Derdepoort border post into the country.
On arrival of Moatshe's car at the roadblock the applicants took positions and opened fire at the occupants and killing them. Prior to the incident, General Steyn gave orders to Loots that Moatshe should not be killed. But due to the danger posed by the MK operatives they were all killed on instructions by Loots.
When Loots was questioned as to why he had given instructions to his officers to shoot Moatshe as well, he stated that he had included Moatshe because he has been suspected of being an ANC courier.
The Committee found that the applicants met with the requirements of the Act.
Also granted amnesty was another member of the Security Police, Phillip Johannes Loots for conspiring to murder of Jerry Thibedi, a high ranking official of COSATU in Mamelodi and Soshanguve Townships. The police believed that Thibedi played a prominent role in the consumer and school boycotts to undermine the Government.
The Committee found that Loots's acts were associated with a political objective.
Also granted amnesty was Hanif Mohamed Vally for contravening the Riotous Assemblies Act. In 1980, Vally as a member of both Black Student Society and South African Student Organisation, he participated at a gathering in a protest rally near Bosmont in Johannesburg.
Inquiries: Phila Ngqumba - 082 458 8463.