Truth Commission Special Report
Decision - 59393

Type: AMNESTY DECISIONS
Names: LODEWYK DE JAGER
Matter: AM4126/96
Decision: GRANTED
URL: https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=59393&t=&tab=hearings
Original File: https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/decisions/2001/ac21111.htm
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DECISION

The Applicant, a former member and senior officer of the   Security Branch, applies 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").  The application is in respect of three incidents:

1.    The unlawful establishment of an arms cache at Suurbekom,   Soweto during the period 1985 - 1987;

2.    The detonation of a small controlled explosive device   in a public toilet on the beach at the Strand near Cape Town during August 1989;

3.    An explosion at the Athlone Post Office, Cape Town   during August 1989.

At the time of the above first   incident the Applicant was a Security Branch policeman stationed in Soweto,   Johannesburg and at the time of the second and third incidents he was stationed   in the Cape.

The objective of the first incident was to establish the   credibility of a police informer who had infiltrated the ranks of an African   National Congress/Umkhonto weSizwe ("ANC/MK") cell.  The informer   had an order from his ANC/MK handlers to establish an arms cache and this was   then done to assist him in retaining his credibility.  The Applicant approved   this to be done under the supervision of one Col W Coetzee who served under   his command.

The second incident took place in order to counter protest   action by political activists on "Whites Only" beaches in a campaign   known as "drown beach apartheid".  The Applicant decided on the action   to be taken and instructed Capt Theron who served under him to do the necessary   planning in collaboration with a Capt Baker from Pretoria Head Office.  He specifically   instructed that the operation should take place in such a manner that no injuries   or loss of life would ensue.

The third incident was intended to throw suspicion on the   Mass Democratic Movement and the ANC and thereby alienating residents of the   Athlone area from the said organisations.  No-one was injured or killed in any   one of the abovementioned explosions.

After having considered all the   information at the disposal of the Committee, we are satisfied that the Applicant   has complied with all the requirements for amnesty, that all the incidents involved   acts associated with a political objective as envisaged in the Act and that   the Applicant has made a full disclosure of all relevant facts.

Accordingly amnesty is GRANTED   to Lodewyk de Jager for:

1.    The unlawful establishment of an arms cache at Suurbekom,   Soweto during the period 1985 - 1987;

2.    The detonation of a small controlled explosive device   in a public toilet on the beach at the Strand near Cape Town during August 1989;

3.    An explosion at the Athlone Post Office, Cape Town   during August 1989. 

DATED AT CAPE TOWN THIS 5TH DAY   OF APRIL 2001

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