November 24, 2000
The Amnesty Committee of the TRC today granted amnesty to thirteen amnesty applicants in respect of offences committed during the attack on the Boipatong Township and Slovo Park settlement in Vanderbijlpark on June 17, 1992.
The attack left forty five people dead, including elderly people, women and children and many were injured. The incident was accompanied by widespread destruction of property and damage to houses and personal possessions.
Granted amnesty by the Committee are Mqambelini Buthelezi, Bhekinkosi Mkize, Tebogo Magubane, Vincent Khanyile, Timothy Stals Mazibuko, Jack Mbele, Sonny Michael Mkwanazi, Mhlupeki Tsbangu, Sipho Buthelezi, Paulos Mcikeleni Mbatha, Richard Dlamini, Victor Mthandeni Mthembu and Sithembiso Mountgomery Khubheka. The applicants were all members of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
The Committee found that the applicants have met with the requirements of the Act in that they made full disclosure of all relevant facts and their actions had a political objective.
Originally there were 18 applicants but Mr. Thomas Lukhozi, the English applicant withdrew his application and Mr. Mxoliseni Sibongeleni Mkize did not appear at the hearings and his application was accordingly struck off the roll on the last day of the hearing.
The panel further refused amnesty to three other applicants, Mathanzima Nosenga, Moses Mthembu and Petrus Mdiniso. The Committee found that in respect of the three applicants that there was nothing to suggest in the evidence that part of the motive for the attack was to steal the property of the residents. "Those who did so therefore did so for personal reasons and their acts were consequently not politically motivated. Accordingly, amnesty cannot be granted in respect of such acts." Victims in this incident were referred to the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee for consideration.
The Committee further refused amnesty to Kevin Hall, Hendirk Roelofse, Jacobus De Ru and Josias Seemise. Hall was refused amnesty for the attack and exchange of gunfire where several freedom fighters were shot and killed. He was refused amnesty for the capturing and the torture of four others near the Mapungarvlei Base.
Roelofse was refused amnesty for the murder of Zakhele Mlotshwa on March 21, 1993 near Stilfontein in Klerksdorp. Seemise was refused amnesty for the murder of Zini Shongwe and six attempted murders committed at Kati Township in Ermelo.
An Azanian Peoples Organisation (Azapo) member Motlana Mphoreng was granted amnesty for the murder of a white security guard and unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Meanwhile a member of the ANC's Umkhonto WeSizwe, Patrick Kunene was also granted amnesty for burning the homestead of the former Mayor of Soweto in 1983. Kunene was also granted amnesty for arson on the Don Shopping Complex of Donald Mmesi at Dobsonville in 1983.
Issued By: The Truth And Reconciliation Commission
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