April 7, 2000
The Amnesty Committee resumes its sitting next week for the part-heard applications of a group of Security Police Officers applying for amnesty for the killing of MK cadres.
The alleged killing of ANC and MK members took place in the KwaZulu Natal Province between 1986 and 1990. Applying for amnesty are Andrew Taylor, Jeremia Brooks, Hendrik Botha, Laurence Wasserman, Frans Labuschagne and Anton Verwey. The seven applicants are applying in respect of different incidents which include, kidnapping, torture and murders. Among their victims are Eunice Shakes who was tortured, Charles Ndaba and Mbuso Shabalala who were murdered.
The matters which were first heard at the Durban Chritian Centre between August and Septemeber last year will now resume at the Pinetown Magistrate Court in Durban from April 10 - April 14, 2000. Meanwhile, in its second week of sittings in Durban, the Amnesty Committee will hear the application of Frank Sandy Bennetts. Bennetts is seeking amnesty for incidents of torture, framing of a Chesterville activist and murder of a PAC man at Inanda. He is applying for the incidents of torture which occurred between 1985 and 1989 in which detainees were subjected to tubing and electrocution when he was a member of the SAP, stationed at the Riot Unit in Durban. Four of his victims were members of the UDF.
In relation to framing Bennetts states that he, together with a colleague, Warrant Officer Kruger left an envelope with R500.00 at the home of Mr. Bongani Mkize. Subsequent to this the deceased Mr. Mkize was necklaced by his "own people" on suspicion of being an informer, which according to him was a desired effect. He also asks for amnesty for consipiracy for a role of providing a grenade which was planted at a murder scene in which a PAC cadre, Themba Zama was killed by members of the Reaction Unit at Inanda Newtown on February 27, 1992.
This matter will also be heard at the Pinetown Magistrates Court in Pinetown from April 11 - April 20, 2000.
Inquiries: Nosisi Tyantsi -- 082 458 8459.