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The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Amnesty Committee today granted amnesty to twenty-three security police officers for among other things, attempted murder of a former leader of the South African Communist Party, Chris Hani, in Lesotho in 1980.

The applicants were also granted amnesty for conspiracy to murder of the African National Congress spokesperson Nat Serache, Johannes Mnisi, MK Victor, the killing of Roger Nkadimeng, Patric Vundla and for the abduction, assault and detention of Moleke Lengene in Botswana during 1982.

They were also granted amnesty for the possession of a stolen vehicle belonging to Peter Vale and for the attack of a transit house in Swaziland in 1990. Granted amnesty were Eugene de Kock, Isak Bosch, Nicolaas van Rensberg, Eben Coetzee, Willem Coetzee, Frederik Crause, Philip Crause, Antonie Heystek, Johan le Roux, Wikus Loots Johannes Meyer, Martin Naude, Christoffel du Preez Smit, Anton Pretorious, Stanley Schutte, Johannes Steyn, Karel de Bruin, Hendrik Prinsloo, Christiaan Rorich, Paul van Dyk, Wynand Hatting and Wybrand du Toit.

The Committee found that the applicants met the requirements of the Act in that they made full disclosure and their actions had political motive. Also granted amnesty were Johannes Victor and Deon Gouws for the petrol bombing of the house of Dr. Fabio Ribero in Mamelodi, Pretoria, in March 1986.

A member of the South African Police, Adries van Heerden was granted amnesty for supplying weapons to the Durban security police, Inkatha Freedom Party, and for receiving monies in respect of supplying arms to the IFP and transporting weapons from Ovamboland in Namibia in 1989.

Meanwhile a Vlakplaas operative, Wilhelm Bellingan, was also granted amnesty for an attack on the community centre in Cape Town, fraudulent claims for compensation of informers and housebreaking in respect of Grosskopf properties in Stellenboch and Rooi Els respectively in 1987.

Bellingan was refused amnesty for the destruction of weapons, which had been exhibits in political trails against activists.

Contact: Phila Ngqumba at (021) 4238741/4245161

Issued by Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

6 June 2001