self-defence units (SDUs)

It is common knowledge that the Self Defence Units used every method of acquiring arms to be used in such actions. In this particular instance, his evidence was that the arms were bought from one Zidtu at Duduza squatter camp.

MR SMUTS: Mr Chairman, there was evidence as to the reason for the establishment of the Units, that they were a defence mechanism.

MR ZILWA: We have already been told by Mr Maxhayi, the applicant before you, that in Flagstaff there were some SDU's or Self Defence Units which had been established. Were you aware of the existence of such?

MR MOELE: I was the Deputy Commander of the Self Defence Units.

... had to be divided into various areas. There were area committees established there and this was followed by the establishment of self-defence units and this was followed by the introduction of what we call the: "Kangaroo Courts" in those areas. In a nutshell this is what it was about. We ...

MR STRYDOM: In the answer you said that the ANC people were in control of the Self Defence Units, can you just explain that?

MR RICHARD: At the formation of the Self Defence Units, that was during 1990 or '91, if I understand.

JUDGE MOTATA: Who was responsible for the establishment of Self Defence Units?

MR MPANZA: My main role was to train Self-Defence Units, as well as to train other people to become MK cadres.

MR GEVERS: Chairperson, information with relation to arms smuggling as well as the Self Defence Units, the funding thereof and then also where they were obtaining their weaponry from.

MR RAMASITSI: Then we were waiting for him until we decided that for us to be safe, we have to form self-defence units during that time, during that night of the ambush.

MR STEMELE: When Xholani came back from exile in 1991 he came to me and he would train me and he told me to bring people that would be able to join the Self Defence Units. He started training me in 1991 after he came back from exile.

MR MOTHIBE: I was deployed to assist self-defence units to understand military tactics so that they would be able to defend themselves.

The next act that you apply for amnesty, that is contained on 141 Mr Chairman, there you say you want amnesty for all acts committed by Self Defence Units and their Commanders in accordance with orders given by the Central Command. That is not a specific thing that you are asking for amnesty for, ...

... operational zone, was underway from within the RSA's neighbouring States, including Swaziland. These MK detachments consisted of various cells, Units and individuals who used the geographical location of Soweto and its thousands of inhabitants as shelter in order to plan and execute their ...

We came from Lesotho side and we travelled by foot to Ficksburg. The firearms were in the back and were carried by myself. When we arrived at Ficksburg we divided ourselves into two units. One unit was headed by myself and the other unit by Mtate."

... fifteen standing rules as APLA as is known by the Committee which is not done in Task Force. Task Forces are trained - they are like Self Defence Units and they were used to protect leadership and also VIP protection and they were also used as a pool for APLA. When there is a shortage, APLA ...

... in other countries, either to live or to study or join the liberation movements where they were hosted by other countries. The breakdown of family units and the links with extended families due to the exodus affected in a traumatic way the lives of many youth. Many young people and members of ...

Then I come to the important part, which I want to put to you. The senior organs formed in neighbouring countries, consisted of senior leaders and specialist in the building of the political underground and mass mobilisation, as well as Commanders of Armed Units.

... entailed long periods of covert operations either within or outside the Republic. The members of the security forces, especially those in covert units used against the revolutionary enemy, saw themselves as the elite front line troops in a critically important secret theatre of the overall ...