September 22,1999
Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION AMNESTY DECISION
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission today granted amnesty to three APLA cadres for murdering Sandra Swanepoel and for attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of unlawful explosives and firearms.
Brian Clifford Thobojane, Thomas Ngobeni and Donald Mukhawana applied for amnesty for killing Sandra, and for attempted murder on her husband Johannes Swanepoel on March 27, 1993 in Tzaneen. The Committee found that the applicants actions were associated with a political objective.
Mr. Swanepoel who opposed the amnesty application, and other surviving victims were referred to the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee for consideration. The three applicants were deployed inside the country from Zimbabwe in order to intensify the struggle waged by APLA, under operation "Great Storm" whose strategy was to target white farmers.
Also granted amnesty were two other APLA members, Daniel Xulu and Cunningham Thozamile Ngcukana. Xulu applied for amnesty for killing a policeman, Daniel Khoza on January 11, 1993 at Pholosong Hospital in Brakpan. Ngcukana applied for amnesty for recruiting youths for military training and harbouring cadres of APLA who had infiltrated into the country.
The Committee also granted amnesty to a member of the IFP Mzobona Leonard Hadebe for the attack on the bus carrying passengers perceived to be ANC supporters. Hadebe applied for amnesty for the murder of Thomas Tshwari, attempted murder of fourty one persons and possession of two RG42 hand grenade explosives.
The second applicant also an IFP member, Rapheal Sithomo who also applied for amnesty for the same incident was refused amnesty. During the hearing Sithomo testified that he did not know anything about the incident and he was not present in the area when the incident occurred.
The Committee found that Sithomo's application did not comply with the requirements of the Act as he denied any knowledge about the offence.
The Committee also refused amnesty to Richard Maboney Mahapo an ANC member for robbery of a motor vehicle and conspiracy to murder Lesiba Wislon Makhubela. Mahapo is currently serving ten years for the offence.
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