Truth Commission Special Report
Decision - 58894

Type: AMNESTY DECISIONS
Names: D F GUMEDE
Case Number: AC/99/0216
Matter: AM 2784/96
Decision: GRANTED/REFUSED
URL: https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=58894&t=&tab=hearings
Original File: https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/decisions/1999/ac990216.htm
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DECISION

  ______________________________________________________

The applicant  Dennis  Felamandla  Gumede  is seeking  amnesty in respect of the following  offences:- 

1. The murder of  an African  National  Congress (ANC)  supporter Bhekumuzi Hamilton Zondi  at  Greytown  on the  18 th  July  1991.

2. The murder of a police assistant, Ntsana  Collin Tsoanyana  in Durban on the  28 th  October 1993. 

3.  Unlawful possession  of a firearm and  ammunition.

The  committee accepts the evidence that the applicant was a member of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) when the events  referred to herein occurred. There is also  no dispute that at the relevant time the area of KwaZulu Natal was engulfed in explicit violent conflict between the ANC and IFP organisation who were attacking each other.  That is the context in which the deceased Zondi was attacked and killed by applicant and other IFP members. The applicant and his IFP comrades believed that Zondi  was taking part in the attacks against IFP members and their houses.

In the premises,  and having  regard  to the  general  evidence  that has been  led in similar  other applications,  we  are satisfied  that the killing if Zondi  is an act associated with a political  objective in terms of Act. The applicant has given a full disclosure of the relevant facts and has complied with the requirements of the Act.

Amnesty  is accordingly  GRANTED  for the offence of the murder of Zondi and the unlawful possession of  unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

We are however  not satisfied that the killing of Tsoanyana is an act associated with a  political objective.  The evidence that has  been led by the applicant in regard  to that,  shows  no indication  whatsoever  that  he had a political  objective  when he shot and killed  the  deceased in a public toilet.

Amnesty is accordingly  REFUSED for the murder of  Tsoanyana.

In terms of the Act,  the mother of the first deceased  Dumalile  Andrea  Zondi, is hereby declared a victim in relation to that incident.  A similar declaration  cannot be made in  respect  of the  dependants of Tsoanyana, as the circumstances of the killing does not fall within the scope of the Act.  There is not a breath of politics  in this matter. 

Signed this day .........................of................................ 1999.

...................................................

JUDGE MALL

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ADV. F. BOSMAN

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ADV N. SANDI

