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.
© South African Press Association, 1999
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