amntrans AMNESTY HEARINGS 2000-08-30 PRETORIA 11 LARRY JOHN HANTON AM4076/96 https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=54439&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/amntrans/2000/200830pt.htm LARRY JOHN HANTON (sworn states) CHAIRPERSON Thank you, Mr Hanton, you may be seated. Mr Nel? EXAMINATION BY MR NEL Thank you, Mr Chairman. Mr Hanton, you're an applicant in these proceedings and your application is found in the bundle on page 151 and onwards, is that correct? MR HANTON That is correct, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL You've also attached in amplification of your political objectives, the submissions made by Gen van der Merwe to the TRC, which was dated the 21st of October '96, do you ask this Committee to incorporate that as part of your evidence? MR HANTON I do, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL Do you confirm the correctness of your affidavit, save for corrections that we'll make? MR HANTON I do, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL Just before we carry on, is it correct at a previous hearing we handed in documentation to prove that you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and the result of that is that you suffer from poor memory? MR HANTON That is correct, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL And that was accepted by the Committee then. MR HANTON That is correct, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL At the time of this incident you were a member of the police, stationed at Vlakplaas, under the command of Col de Kock. MR HANTON I was, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL This incident specifically, you were tasked to be one of the guards outside Khanya House. MR HANTON That is correct, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL You did not enter the premises at all? MR HANTON No, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL Were you carrying a weapon at all on the evening? MR HANTON No, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL Did you know at all when you went to Khanya House that there were people in the building? MR HANTON No, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL You heard later or after the event that there in fact people in the building? MR HANTON That is correct, Mr Chairperson, although I can't remember how I heard, when I heard. MR NEL Did you receive a reward for your participation in this event? MR HANTON No, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL You ask then for amnesty for arson and any other offence that goes along with your participation in this event, is that correct? MR HANTON That is correct, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL Thank you, Mr Chairman, that is the evidence. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR NEL CHAIRPERSON Thank you, Mr Nel. Mr Hattingh, any questions? MR HATTINGH I have no questions, thank you Mr Chairman. NO QUESTIONS BY MR HATTINGH CHAIRPERSON Mr van der Merwe? MR VAN DER MERWE I have no questions thank you, Mr Chair. NO QUESTIONS BY MR VAN DER MERWE CHAIRPERSON Mr Wagener? MR WAGENER Chairman, I have no questions, thank you. NO QUESTIONS BY MR WAGENER CHAIRPERSON Mr Jansen? MR JANSEN Thank you Chair, no questions. NO QUESTIONS BY MR JANSEN CHAIRPERSON Mr Joubert? MR JOUBERT Thank you Chair, no questions. NO QUESTIONS BY MR JOUBERT CHAIRPERSON Thank you. Mr Lamey? MR LAMEY No questions, thank you. NO QUESTIONS BY MR LAMEY CHAIRPERSON Thank you. Mr du Plessis? MR DU PLESSIS No questions, Mr Chairman. NO QUESTIONS BY MR DU PLESSIS CHAIRPERSON Thank you. Mr Cornelius? MR CORNELIUS I have no questions, thank you Mr Chair. CHAIRPERSON Thank you. Ms Cambanis? CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MS CAMBANIS Thank you, Chair. Mr Hanton, I assume it was the first time that you'd been to Khanya House, that evening? MR HANTON It was, Mr Chairperson. MS CAMBANIS And you stood outside, you know nothing about the inside of Khanya House, is that correct? MR HANTON No, I don't, Mr Chairperson. ADV SANDI Sorry, can I just ask. Did you know of this place before you went there? Did you know about it? MR HANTON No, I heard it the day of the operation. ADV SANDI No, what I'm asking, did you know that there was this place known as Khanya House, before you went there? MR HANTON Oh, when I went there, yes that night, yes. I heard about it yes, before. Before the briefing I didn't know about it. ADV SANDI Thank you. MS CAMBANIS And the whole time you were outside, so you know nothing about what happened inside the building, is that correct? MR HANTON That is correct, Mr Chairperson. MS CAMBANIS And after the operation, it wasn't discussed amongst yourselves due to secrecy of who done what, is that correct? MR HANTON That's correct, Mr Chairperson. MS CAMBANIS At the briefing I'm sure you were not told anything about the building being a residence, were you? MR HANTON Not that I can remember, Chairperson. MS CAMBANIS Yes. And you definitely don't recall who else was involved, is that correct? MR HANTON That is correct, Mr Chairperson. MS CAMBANIS Thank you, Chairperson, there is nothing further. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MS CAMBANIS CHAIRPERSON Thank you, Ms Cambanis. Ms Patel? MS PATEL Thank you, Honourable Chairperson, no questions. NO QUESTIONS BY MS PATEL CHAIRPERSON Thank you. Advocate Bosman? ADV BOSMAN No questions, thank you Chair. CHAIRPERSON Advocate Sandi? ADV SANDI Yes, just one question. If you were not armed whilst you were standing outside, how were you hoping to protect and defend yourself if anyone came to attack you? MR HANTON Chairperson, I can't remember what I had, but it was possible I had the so-called cosh, basically a lead ball covered in leather, which is highly effective if used correctly. ADV SANDI Thank you. Thank you, Chair. CHAIRPERSON Do you recall when you started supporting Inkatha? MR HANTON It was during the period that I was transferred. I was at Durban Security Branch, Mr Chairperson. CHAIRPERSON That would be during the '70s? MR HANTON No, no, it was early '90s, Mr Chairperson, the '90s. CHAIRPERSON And prior to the '90s, did you support any political party? MR HANTON That National Party, Mr Chairperson. CHAIRPERSON Thank you. Mr Nel, any re-examination? RE-EXAMINATION BY MR NEL Just one question on the question of Adv Sandi, as to what my client would have used in defence. Mr Hanton, is it correct that during this incident you were a lot slimmer and fitter than what you are now? MR HANTON Very much so, Mr Chairperson. MR NEL I have nothing further, thank you Mr Chairperson. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR NEL CHAIRPERSON Is it because there's not much activity now? MR NEL Vlakplaas has been disbanded, Sir. CHAIRPERSON Thank you very much, Mr Hanton, you are excused. WITNESS EXCUSED ADV BOSMAN I was going to say, Mr Hanton, that I wouldn't quarrel with you in your present condition. MR NEL It's a good thing I'm his attorney, Ma'am. CHAIRPERSON Thank you, what is the arrangement? MR CORNELIUS Mr Chair, I believe I'm on the podium again, I call Mr Flores.