Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
22 October 1999
AMNESTY DECISION
The Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has granted amnesty to four Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) cadres, for murdering a farmer, Mr. J.J. Fourie of the Stormberg farm in the district of Verkeerdevlei on February 12, 1992 .
Those granted amnesty are Hendrik Leeuw, Daniel Magoda, Meshack May and Sebolai Petrus Nkgwedi. The applicants are serving long sentences from eleven to fifteen years for the murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The Committee found that the four applicants met with the requirements of the Act that of making full disclosure of facts and their acts were associated with a political motive. The panel referred the dependants of Mr. Fourie and Ms. Adrey Catharine May, who was assaulted by the applicants to the Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee for consideration.
The applicants testified that they were part of operation "Great Storm" of APLA, to drive white farming community from their farms in order to get the land back. They were instructed to take the property and hand it over to their commander who would sell it in order to obtain money for the struggle.
The applicant's testimony was supported by Pan Africanist Congress and APLA's submission to the Commission that operation " Great Storm" involved killing of farmers and stealing their weapons.
Inquiries: Phila Ngqumba - 082 458 8463.