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A member of the former Liberal Party who produced "illegal" T-shirts during the apartheid era has been granted amnesty for his actions.

Robin Houston Holmes, 53, of Pietermaritzburg, told the Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that he had illegally produced, printed and distributed T-shirts reading "We are Everywhere, Even in your Kitchen" and "Mxenge, The Struggle Continues". He also produced a Steve Biko T-shirt.

The Committee said in its decision:

"The applicant was a member of the Liberal Party before its dissolution and describes himself as having been a supporter of any and all anti-apartheid organisations.

"He states that he produced and distributed the T-shirts as an act of non-violent defiance against the apartheid regime. He made no personal gain from his actions. He was charged in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates' Court with the production and distribution of prohibited material, but the case against him was never proceeded with.

"We are satisfied that the application satisfies the provisions of Section 20 (1) of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No. 34 of 1995, in that it complies with the requirements of the said Act, the offence to which it relates is an act associated with a political objective committed in the course of the conflicts of the past in accordance with the provision of Section 20 (2) (a), and the applicant has made a full disclosure.

"We are also satisfied that the offence to which the application relates does not constitute a gross violation of human rights and that there is no need for a hearing in this matter."

Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 16 September 1998

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