CAPE TOWN October 14 1999 - SAPA

AMNESTY HEARINGS FOR WESTERN CAPE MURDERS

The political violence that occurred on the Cape Flats in the 1980s will be recalled when former security policemen and African National Congress activists apply for amnesty before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Amnesty Committee in Cape Town next week. Among those set to appear are former security policemen Michael Phillip Luff and Yizaya Patrick Siyali, who are applying for amnesty for attacks on ANC activists. Luff is applying for amnesty for killing William Dyofi in Worcester in November 1985. In his application, he claims that Dyofi was a member of a group that stoned a hall in Zwelethemba township near Worcester. Luff says he searched the area on foot and found Dyofi in a shack and arrested him. However, he claims Dyofi tried to flee, and was shot while running away. Siyali is applying for amnesty for shooting Bongani Jonas during 1987 on the N2 near Guguletu. Siyali claims he spotted the car in which Jonas was driving, and gave chase and stopped the vehicle. Siyali said he tried to arrrest Jonas, who, he says, was wanted for alleged acts of terrorism. Jonas was shot and wounded by Siyali when he tried to run away from the scene, and was taken to the security police for interrogation. Also applying for amnesty in the same hearing will be Johannes Nhlopo, for the murder of George Beenton and Cedrick Jansen in August 1980 in Klipfontein Road near Crossroads. Both victims were killed when their vehicles were stoned in separate incidents. Two other applications to be heard are those of Zola Yekwana and Fumanekile Booi. Yekwana, who was a member of an ANC self defence unit, is appling for amnesty for killing fellow ANC member Mzonke Pro Jack. Booi has applied for amnesty for killing policeman Nicholas Els in July 1990 in Langa, during a shoot-out between police and another self defence unit. Moegmat Annez Salie, Vanessa Rhoda November and Sydney Henricks are also applying for amnesty for a bomb blast that occurred in September 1988 in Bonteheuwel, in which Moegmat Bartlett was seriously injured. The hearings are expected to continue until October 28 this year.

 


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