Truth Commission Special Report
Decision - 59492

Type: AMNESTY DECISIONS
Names: PETRUS CASPARUS SNYDERS
Matter: AM5286/97
Decision: GRANTED/REFUSED
URL: https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=59492&t=&tab=hearings
Original File: https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/decisions/2001/ac21210.htm
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DECISION

This is an application in terms of the provisions of Section   18 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No. 34 of 1995   ("the Act").  The Applicant had applied for amnesty in respect of   various incidents most of which had already been finalised at public hearings   of the Committee.  The present matters are being dealt with in chambers, since   they do not involve any gross violations of human rights as defined in the Act.

Applicant's personal circumstances and his activities as   a member of the Security Branch of the former South African Police had been   fully canvassed in the earlier hearings and do not warrant repetition.  The   incidents forming the subject matter of the present decision will be dealt with   separately.

TRANSPORTATION OF WEAPONS - PIET   RETIEF

This incident happened during or about 1988 when Applicant   held the rank of Lieutenant and he was the commander of a unit of Security Police   stationed at Vlakplaas.  On the instructions of his commander, Colonel Eugene   de Kock, Applicant assisted a colleague to transport weapons from Vlakplaas   to Piet Retief.  Applicant never actually saw the individual weapons which were   concealed in bags and were transported in the vehicle of Applicant's colleague.    They met Colonel De Kock at Escom power station at a small village, Moolman,   which is approximately 20km outside Piet Retief.  Although Applicant heard certain   rumours about the purpose of the weapons, he had no first-hand knowledge thereof.

Having considered the matter, we are satisfied that the   incident constitutes an act associated with a political objective as envisaged   in the Act and that the application complies with all the other requirements   of the Act.  In the circumstances amnesty is hereby GRANTED to the Applicant   in respect of all offences directly resulting from the transportation of weapons   during or about 1988 from Vlakplaas to the vicinity of Piet Retief.

TRANSPORTATION OF WEAPONS FROM   OSHAKATI TO PRETORIA

This incident happened during or about 1989.  Applicant   and a number of his colleagues were called to a meeting by their commander at   Vlakplaas, Colonel Eugene de Kock, and were ordered to proceed to Oshakati in   Ovamboland, Namibia, where they had to collect weapons to be transported to   Vlakplaas.  The specific order emanated from Security Police headquarters in   Pretoria.  The members of Vlakplaas proceeded to Oshakati in a number of vehicles   which were towing trailers.  They collected weapons from various military and   police bases in Ovamboland.  The items collected included heavy armoury and   were all of Russian origin.  The weapons were transported to Vlakplaas where   they were stored in a safe on the premises.  Applicant was never informed of   the purpose for which the weapons were transported.  He assumed that the weapons   would be used for training new members of the Security Police.  He in fact later   saw people practising with some of the weapons at a mine dump in the then East   Rand.

Having considered the matter, it is clear there is no indication   that Applicant's participation in the transportation of the weapons amounts   to an offence.  Applicant never anticipated that the transportation of the weapons   involved any criminal activity.  In the circumstances, the application does   not comply with the requirements of the Act and amnesty is accordingly REFUSED.

DATED AT CAPE TOWN THIS 30TH DAY   OF MAY 2001

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