DECISION
The Applicant previously applied for amnesty in respect of a number of incidents which were dealt with at hearings of the Committee. The present matter is being dealt with in chambers.
At all material times Applicant was a member of the Security Branch of the South African Police. During or about September - October 1988 Applicant was ordered by his commander to immediately proceed to Port Elizabeth in order to arrange for the homes of two members of the Labour Party, namely Reverend Alan Hendrickse and Reverend Chris April, to be attacked with handgrenades.
In execution of this order he took a South African Airways flight to Port Elizabeth where he conveyed the order to the divisional head of the Security Police both in Port Elizabeth and Oudtshoorn. The Security Police in Oudtshoorn were sceptical about the feasibility of the plan and indicated that Reverend April, who was residing in Oudtshoorn, was hardly ever home. Applicant emphasised in his discussions with his colleagues in Port Elizabeth and oudtshoorn that the order explicitly provided that no persons should be killed or injured in the attacks. Applicant eventually returned to Johannesburg and heard the following day over the radio news that the home of Reverend Hendrickse in Uitenhage was attacked with a handgrenade. No-one was injured in the attack.
Having considered the matter, we are satisfied that the Applicant acted on the orders of his superiors and that the planned action against the targets was directly associated with the political conflict at the time. The targets in question were political leaders who were opposing the policy of the then government.
In the circumstances we are satisfied that the application complies with all the requirements of the Act and amnesty is accordingly hereby GRANTED to the Applicant in respect of all delicts and offences arising from his relaying an order to attack the home of Reverend Alan Hendrickse in Uitenhage during or about September - October 1988.
DATED AT CAPE TOWN THIS 9TH DAY OF MAY 2001
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