THE TRC GRANTED AMNESTY TO F MNGONMEZULU, N MAHLANGU & P SKOSANA

April 7, 2000

Amnesty Decision.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Amnesty Committee has today, granted amnesty to three members of the African National Congress for human rights violations committed during the apartheid rule.

Forman Mngonmezulu has been granted amnesty for the following offences:

• The murder of Absalom Mnyakeni which took place on March 21, 1992.
• Murder of Patrick Nxumalo which took place on March 21, 1992 in Daveyton.
• Kidnapping of Brenda Gabo and Mongezi Dunga which took place on March 21, 1992 in Daveyton. Amnesty has also been granted to Johannes Mandla Shabangu for illegal possession of explosives and malicious attack on the property of policeman, Mayeza Peter Mahuale.

Nhlanhla Duncan Mahlangu was granted amnesty for unlawful possession of a firearm and handgrenades and conspiring to commit acts of sabotage near George Goch Street in Johannesburg on June 15, 1977. Nhlanhla was in the same unit with the late Solomon Mahlangu and Monty Motloung which engaged police in a shoot-out at Goch Street, Johannesburg. Monty Motloung was injured in the gun battle while Solomon was hanged by the apartheid government.

Inquiries: Mbulelo Sompeta : 082 452 7870.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION

Amnesty Decision

The Amnesty Committee of the TRC this week granted amnesty to a former East Rand Self Defence Unit commander and head of Intelligence, Puseletso Julia Skosana.

Skosana applied for amnesty in respect of malicious damage to a Duduza hostel in 1993; the illegal possession of a handgrenade and any offences arising from this incident.

The Amnesty Committee is satisfied that Skosana complied with the requirements of the TRC Act of 1995 of full disclosure.

In another decision, amnesty was granted to a former Umkhonto WeSizwe cadre, Joas Mabothe Tshomane for a motor vehicle theft in KwaZulu Natal; the bombing of a railway line in Soweto; and the attempted murder of an unknown schoolgirl during the bomb attack.

The Amnesty Committee is satisfied that Tshomane had acted with political objectives as required by the Act.

Inquiries: Nhlanhla Mbatha - 982 458 9968.