October 15, 1999
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission today granted amnesty to nine former Security Police including former head of the Security police, General Johannes Coetzee, former head of Valkplaas, Eugene De Kock and Craig Williamson for their role in the bombing of the ANC offices in London.
Also granted amnesty are Wybrand Du Toit, Roger Raven, Peter Caselton, John Mc Pherson, John Adam and James Taylor. The policemen are also granted amnesty for malicious damage to property, conspiracy to bomb the South African Communist Party offices in London, obtaining false passports, illegal possession of weapons and explosives.
These offences were committed by the applicants on or about March 14, 1982. The applicants applied for amnesty at the beginning of the year in Pretoria. The Committee found that the applications complied with the requirements of the Act.
"The acts, omissions or offences to which the applications relate are acts associated with a political objective and committed during the course of the conflict of the past." The panel pointed out that the offences committed were advised, planned, directe d, commanded and ordered inside South Africa. Although South African courts may not have jurisdiction to conduct criminal trial, they would have jurisdiction in civil matters against the applicants who are all domicile in South Africa.
The dependant's of the victims are South African citizens also domiciled in South Africa, they may wish to institute action against their fellow South Africans who committed offences ordered within South Africa. The Committee found that the act by the applicants was primarily directed at political opponents, that it related to the conflict of the past, and was carried out under the orders of the then Minister of Law and Order, Mr. Louise Le Grange. The Committee also found that the former Security Policemen have made full disclosure of the relevant facts.
Inquiries: Phila Ngqumba - 082 458 8463. odile@iafrica.com