The Applicants apply for amnesty in terms of the provisions of Section 18 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No 34 of 1995 ("the Act") in respect of the following:
1. The explosion of a limpet mine in the parking area of the JG Strydom Hospital, Johannesburg on 27 July 1980;
2. The explosion of a limpet mine at Joubert Park, Johannesburg on 27 July 1980;
3. The first, third and fourth Applicants also apply for amnesty in respect of the theft of four United Nations 4X4 vehicles in Walvisbaai during 1990.
Insofar as the two explosions are concerned the objective was to use it in such a way that police informers would be able to infiltrate the ranks of the African National Congress ("ANC"). The order was given by the first Applicant, Smith, who was then a senior officer in the Special Investigations Unit of the South African Police in Pretoria. The order was given to George Hammond and second Applicant, Le Roux, to prepare and detonate the limpet mines whilst the third and fourth Applicants, Otto and Van Staden, were to assist in securing the area of the explosion so as to prevent death or injury of any person. No-one was in fact injured or killed in any one of the incidents.
The theft of the four United Nations vehicles was also ordered by Smith and the arrangements to have the said vehicles transported to and stored in Pretoria were made by Otto and Van Staden. The one vehicle was stolen from where it was stored and the other three were thereafter registered in the police registers and utilised by the South African Police.
After having considered the applications and all the other relevant documentation the Committee is satisfied that the Applicants have complied with all the requirements for amnesty, that the offences committed were offences associated with a political objective within the context of the conflict of the past and that they have made a full disclosure of all relevant facts as required by the Act.
Accordingly amnesty is GRANTED to:
1. Christoffel Lodewikus Smith, Pierre le Roux, Gert Jacobus Louis Hosea Otto and Hermanus Johannes van Staden for all offences associated with the explosion of a limpet mine in the parking area of the JG Strydom Hospital in Johannesburg on 27 July 1980; and
2. For all offences associated with the explosion of a limpet mine at Joubert Park, Johannesburg on 27 July 1980;
3. Christoffel Lodewikus Smith, Gert Jacobus Louis Hosea Otto and Hermanus Johannes van Staden for the theft of four unidentified United Nations 4X4 vehicles in Walvisbaai during our about 1990.