RUDI CRAUSE: (sworn states)
CHAIRPERSON: Please be seated.
EXAMINATION BY MR VISSER: Mr Crause, you are also an applicant in this incident. Do you once again confirm for the record Exhibit A and B?
MR CRAUSE: That is correct.
MR VISSER: And do you ask that it must be read with your application?
MR CRAUSE: Yes.
MR VISSER: You have already confirmed your application this morning, do you also confirm it concerning this incident?
MR CRAUSE: That is correct.
MR VISSER: At that stage you have already told us that you were the Commander at Zeerust Branch?
MR CRAUSE: Yes.
MR VISSER: And you were under the command of Gen Steyn, at that stage a Colonel, and Brig Loots and that stage Lt-Col Loots?
MR CRAUSE: Yes.
MR VISSER: That does not really matter, but it is correct that you were under their command and you executed their commands?
MR CRAUSE: That is correct.
MR VISSER: And you said that part of those instructions were that you have to provide information to Special Forces for them to act upon?
MR CRAUSE: That is correct.
MR VISSER: What can you remember from this specific incident?
MR CRAUSE: I was present during the planning meeting when authorisation was given to Special Forces on a house in Gaberone.
MR VISSER: Who gave the authorisation?
MR CRAUSE: I assumed that it was Kat Liebenberg because he was the most senior person there.
MR VISSER: You yourself did not act?
MR CRAUSE: No, I did not.
MR VISSER: So that authorisation will then be the authorisation to the Special Forces?
MR CRAUSE: Yes.
MR VISSER: Was there any of your senior officers from the Security Branch?
MR CRAUSE: Yes. The people who were present there, that I can remember were Gen Liebenberg, Gen Erasmus, Gen Schutte, Gen Steyn, Brig Loots, Brig Oosthuizen, Commandant Naude, Capt du Preez Smit.
MR VISSER: Yes, he is a co-applicant?
MR CRAUSE: Yes, that is correct.
MR VISSER: And did you see it as an authorised action?
MR CRAUSE: Yes.
MR VISSER: What can you remember today, what did you know about the activities of Mr Serache in Botswana?
MR CRAUSE: Information that was known to us was that he was involved in providing housing to people who was involved in the transportation of vehicles, and the infiltration of MK members into the Republic.
MR VISSER: Did you know anything about his military training?
MR CRAUSE: No, I didn't know anything about that.
MR VISSER: Did actions follow after the meeting?
MR CRAUSE: Yes.
MR VISSER: Who launched this action?
MR CRAUSE: It was launched by the Special Forces of the Defence Force.
MR VISSER: According to your knowledge, did you know if people were injured or killed in that incident?
MR CRAUSE: After the incident I heard that the house was destroyed, but that nobody was injured or killed.
MR VISSER: And is that the reason why ...
CHAIRPERSON: Sorry, did you say that nobody was injured or killed?
MR CRAUSE: Yes, that was the information that I had at that stage.
MR VISSER: Do you accept the information as it was provided by the Investigation Unit of the TRC on Mr Serache and Mr Moadira?
MR CRAUSE: I will accept it today, yes.
MR VISSER: And do you accept that the date of the incident was the 13th of February 1985?
MR CRAUSE: Yes.
MR VISSER: And you then ask for amnesty for any act or delict that occurred?
MR CRAUSE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Visser, wouldn't it be the same as what you highlighted in terms of Mr Steyn's evidence?
MR VISSER: Yes, they will all be the same, Mr Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: The same with Loots?
MR VISSER: Yes. Their role was the same. Thank you Mr Chairman.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR VISSER
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Koopedi?
MR KOOPEDI: No questions for this witness, thank you Mr Chair.
NO CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR KOOPEDI
ADV STEENKAMP: No questions, thank you Mr Chair.
NO CROSS-EXAMINATION BY ADV STEENKAMP
MR CRAUSE: Thank you Mr Chairperson.
WITNESS EXCUSED
MR VISSER: Mr Chairperson, I next call Mr du Preez Smit. His application is to be found at page 108 to 119 and he deals with this incident at page 112. He is available, he has no objection to taking the oath and he wishes to address you in Afrikaans.
