decisions AMNESTY DECISIONS SAMUEL MELLO AC/99/0278 AM 3191/97 GRANTED https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=58955&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/decisions/1999/ac990278.htm DECISION _____________________ This is an application for amnesty in terms of Section 18 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act No. 34 of 1995 ("the Act") The Applicant applies for amnesty in respect of his conviction and sentence, on 29 March 1994, in the Regional Court at Benoni, for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition in contravention of Act 75 of 1969. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment. The applicant claims to be a member of the African National Congress and that he possessed the firearm and ammunition because of the prevailing political violence in the townships at the time. From his supplementary letter it appears that he was part of a self defence unit type structure and accordingly we are satisfied that the offence was committed within a political context and in the furtherance of a political objective and that his application complies with Section 20(1) of the Act and amnesty is therefore GRANTED. Dated at Cape Town this........day of ........................... 1999. _____________________ ______________________ ______________________