CHAIRPERSON: What is the situation now?
MS PATEL: Thank you Honourable Chairperson. The next matter on the role is that of Damane and Mroxe. I believe my learned friend would like to address you on the matter.
MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you Chairperson. Chairperson and Honourable members of the Committee, I have consulted with the applicants who are still coming up and they have decided to withdraw their application for amnesty, but I would like them to be present so that they can confirm that.
CHAIRPERSON: Where are they Mr Mbandazayo? Why were they not made to be seated before the Committee came in?
MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you Chairperson. Chairperson, as I have already indicated that the applicants wishes to put on record that they are withdrawing their application for amnesty in this matter, and I would like the Committee to enquire from them, whether they confirm that they are withdrawing their application. Thank you Chairperson and members.
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Mroxe, do you understand what your legal representative has communicated to this Committee that you wish to withdraw your application?
CHAIRPERSON: Do you confirm that?
CHAIRPERSON: Thank you. Mr Damane, do you also confirm that you wish to withdraw your application as explained by your legal representative?
MR DAMANE: Yes, that is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Ms Patel, I suppose you don't have anything to say about their withdrawal?
MS PATEL: No thank you, Honourable Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: The applications of Mr Mroxe and Mr Damane are hereby withdrawn. Thank you very much Mr Mbandazayo.
Ms Patel, where do we go from here? Give us good news, we have spent the better part of the morning, not being able to proceed.
MS PATEL: Unfortunately Honourable Chairperson, I seem to be the bearer of bad tidings for the day.
The next matter on the role is that of Manqunyana. Unfortunately I believe my learned friend hasn't been in the position to consult with his client. I accordingly request that the matter stand down till two o'clock to enable him to consult with his client.
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Mbandazayo, I am aware that the application that we have received as members of the Amnesty Committee is very scanty and it has also been brought to my attention that you, yourself, recently became aware of the application by Mr Manqunyana, just a few days ago, and you have not been able to consult with Mr Manqunyana.
Because of the scanty information contained in this application form, we cannot expect you to proceed Mr Manqunyana, on what is contained herein.
We as a Committee do not understand how an application with such scanty information, came to be set down for a hearing.
We will therefore afford you an opportunity to properly consult with Mr Manqunyana, with a view of eliciting more information that will enable this Committee to finalise this application as speedily as possible.
We will then stand this application down until two o'clock, when we will commence. To the members of the public, we again wish to thank you for the patience that you have displayed throughout the day. I cannot emphasise the apologies that we would like to proffer to you for the inconveniences that you have had to suffer because of the technical hitches that we have experienced.
Again, we are greatly indebted for your patience. Thank you.