DECISION
Applicant was the head of Unit B in the Northern Transvaal Security Police Branch. He applies for amnesty for the attempted murder of Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa in Durban during or about 1987. Jacques Hechter (AM2776/96) and Paul Jacobus Jansen van Vuuren (AM2777/96) applied for amnesty for this incident and were granted amnesty by another panel of the Amnesty Committee.
The applicant testified that he does not remember the incident all too well and that he relies for the greater part on detail provided by Hechter and Van Vuuren in their applications. Father Mkhatshwa was represented at the hearing and his lawyer, Mr Brian Koopedi indicated that his client did not oppose the application for amnesty.
Hechter and van Vuuren’s evidence was that the applicant, when instructing them to assassinate Father Mkhatshwa, told them that the instructions originated from General Basie Smit. Applicant does not remember such instructions to him nor that he ever had discussed this matter with Smit. For the rest he remembers having given instructions to Hechter and van Vuuren and the calling off of the mission after the failed attempt on the life of Father Mkhatshwa.
The Committee is satisfied that the applicant has made a full disclosure of the relevant facts relating to the incident, that it took place within the context of the conflicts of the past and that it was associated with a political objective.
Amnesty is therefore GRANTED to the applicant for the attempted murder of Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa whose name is being referred to the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee for consideration.
SIGNED AT CAPE TOWN THIS THE _________ DAY OF _____________ 2000.
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JUDGE S KHAMPEPE
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ADVOCATE I LAX
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MR W MALAN
