Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
October 14, 1999
STATEMENT BY THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will hear an amnesty application by two Cape Town Security Policemen for the killing of 2 political activists next week.
Michael Phillip Luff and Yizaya Patrick Siyali both Security Policemen will appear before the Amnesty Committee on October 18 - 29 at the TRC offices, 10th floor, 106 Adderely Street, Cape Town. Luff is applying for amnesty for killing William Dyofi on November 3, 1985 in Zwelethemba in Worcester.
The applicant alleges the deceased was part of a group that stoned the hall in Zwelethemba. The deceased was shot by Luff as he was regarded the
leader of the group that stoned the hall. The applicant and Chris Geldenhuys searched the area on foot and found the deceased in a shack and arrested him. Luff alleges as they were leaving the shack the deceased started running and a shot was fired killing him.
Another Security Policeman, Siyali is applying for shooting Bongani Jonas during 1987 on the N2 near Guguletu. Siyali alleges that Jonas was wanted for acts of terrorism. The car in which the victim was driving was spotted on the N2 when Siyali gave chase. Jonas was shot by Siyali when he tried to run away from the scene. He was taken to the Security Police Headquarters in Culemborg where he was handed over to the senior members of the police to be interrogated.
Also applying for amnesty in the same hearing will be Johannes Nhlopo for the murder of George Beenton and Cedrick Jansen in August 1980 in Klipfontein Road near Crossroads. Both victims were driving along the Klipfontein Road when their vehicles were stoned in separate incident's.
Two other applications to be heard are that of Zola Yekwana and Fumanekile Booi. Yekwana an SDU member is applying for amnesty for killing Mzonke Pro Jack who was also an ANC member. Booi applies for amnesty for killing Sgt.
Nicholas Els in July 1990 in Langa. The deceased died in a shoot out between the police and the applicant's unit. The incidents took place before Chris Hani's public address in the Western Cape.
Also applying for amnesty is Moegmat Annez Salie, Vanessa Rhoda November and Sydney Henricks. The 3 applicants are applying for amnesty for a bomb blast that occurred in September 1988 in Bonteheuwel in which a civilian Moegmat Bartlett sustained serious injuries.
The applicants were part of the Ashley Kriel detachment and were under the command of Salie when a limpet mine was placed in a milk carton at the Bonteheuwel Rent Office. The victim was on his way home when he picked up the milk carton and it exploded.
Also applying for amnesty will be Derrick Grootboom for the attack on the Rent Office and Civic Center, with a petrol bomb. He is also applying for amnesty for occupying a police station and submitted community grievances which resulted in confrontation with the police in Dysselsdorp in June 1991.
Inquiries: Phila Ngqumba - 082 458 8463