Truth Commission Special Report
Decision - 59399

Type: AMNESTY DECISIONS
Names: CHRISTOFFEL LODEWIKUS SMITH   FIRST,PIERRE LE ROUX    SECOND,GERT JACOBUS LOUIS HOSEA OTTO THIRD,VAN STADEN  FOURTH
Matter: AM3744/96,AM5463/97,AM3742/96,AM3743/96
Decision: GRANTED
URL: https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=59399&t=&tab=hearings
Original File: https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/decisions/2001/ac21117.htm
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DECISION

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.

DATED AT CAPE TOWN THIS 9TH DAY   OF APRIL 2001

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