self-defence units (SDUs)

CHAIRPERSON: Self Defence Units never existed that time, not of the kind that we know now.

Mr Yekwani what is being put to you is that the self defence units were really established to protect and defend the community, in other words you were defending people and was not so much to attack but rather to defend. Now how would you understand it?

and ask Andrew Trench, Patrick Goodenough, even - I can't remember her surname now, Louise Flanagan, I told them about the formation of self-defence units for the ADM. I gave them evidence. The agreement between us was that they would publish my name in the articles so that I would be protected ...

ADV SIGODI: Were you aware of the presence of Self Defence Units in the township?

... At the relevant time Applicant was a member of the African National Congress ("ANC"), Thokoza and was involved in activities of the Self-Defence Units ("SDU") in Thokoza, established at the instance of the ...

At the time of the commission of the acts referred to herein the applicant was a commander of the Slovo Section (East Rand) Self Defence Units (SDUs) of the African National Congress ("the ANC") which he joined in 1990.

... the Applicant, he was a card carrying member of the African National Congress  ("ANC") in Vosloorus.  He was also a member of the Self-Defence Units ("SDU") in Vosloorus since 1992.  The first commander of his SDU, George Skamora Machel was killed on 7 July 1992 whereafter Mr Makhubele ...

MR TANDA: To cut it short, I had a programme to train the defence unit for the PAC. I also had a programme to oversee the PAC in Cape Town so that the units doesn't get infiltrated and also receiving members of the Force and I also had to train the members of the Task Force.

MR QHALO: I was not alone, I was with people. We were there as Self Defence Units, but they didn't do anything, they didn't take part, but they were with me and I'm the one who kicked the door and when Chairman came with the car we left them behind. I then left with Chairman to go and kill these ...

you know if he has any political affiliations? --- Yes, he is an active Cosatu organiser in Empangeni, and he's been involved with local defence units in Ngwelezana. He's clearly on the ANC side. Clare had known him for about 12 years. He wasn't a recent friend. He is Phuleng's father, but ...

At Angola where I was an MK instructor until 1990. I came back to South Africa and I was at Transkei, responsible for the Self Defence Units, as an order it was given ...(Xhosa) to train people in order to defend themselves. I was the instructor in the underground houses.

... plentiful, we don't know how these drugs got into the township and we were told that this committee should work hand-in-hand with the Self Defence Units so that the community can reduce the level of gangsterism in the township. And the ISU which was also operating in the area was also taking ...

... Joseph Mofekeng and Vusi and Jabo, that is Gyza. We were discussing about the possible solutions, particularly to build, to formulate Self Defence Units so that we could protect the community because people were killed in ...

... as a result of third force activities, the leadership of the ANC established and in some instances encouraged the establishment of Self Defence Units (SDUs), which played a critical role in the defence of defenceless ...

The ANC supporters organised themselves into Self Defence Units and the applicant assisted them from time to time, providing them with ammunition. He resolved to assist them further by providing them with firearms.

MR KNOPP: And were you involved at all in the so-called SDUs, Self Defence Units?

MR KOLELA: We wanted to get the weapons so that we could take them to the members of the defence units so that they can use them in trying to protect the people as we were always attacked.

Were you specifically instructed to attack the comrades or the Self Defence Units or were you instructed to attack the residents of Boipatong?

CHAIRPERSON: We will start the proceedings. Just for the record, today is Monday the 7th of December 1998. This is a continuation of the amnesty hearings of members of the Thokoza Self Defence Units.

CHAIRPERSON: We are well aware of the reasons for the establishment of the Self Defence Units. You don't need to explain to us.