Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Amnesty Committee of the TRC began hearing today at the Durban Christian Centre into the abduction and the killing of six former ANC guerillas in the late 80's.
The six activists, Sipho Stanley Bhila, Portia Phila Ndwandwe and Phumezo James Nxiweni, Sibusiso Ndlovu, Elias Mtshali and Manzi Vilekazi. The ANC activists were killed at different locations in Kwazulu-Natal by members of the security police and Askaris.
Five policemen, Izaak Bosch, Frank Mccarter, Andrew Taylon, Laurence Wasserman and Adrian Rosslee have applied for amnesty for the abduction and killing of Stanley Bhila and Phumezo Nxiweni.
The court had discharged the two victims from the Amanzimtoti bomb blast in which Andrew Zondo was sentenced to death. The applicants claim the order came from Vlakpaas Commander, Eugene De Kock.
Mccarter's testimony on his role in the killing of Stanley Bhila was the first to be heard on Monday and has been concluded. Bosch, the second applicant, is currently being cross-examined for his role in the killing of Bhila.
Six policemen, H. Botha, S Du Preez, Johannes A Steyn, Andrew Taylor, Van der Westhuizen, and Laurence Wasserman have applied for amnesty for the killing of Phumezo Nxiweni.
The applicants are also applying for amnesty for the murder of Manzi Khululekani Vilakazi, Sibusiso Ndlovu and Elias Vusumzi Mtshali. The three activists were blown apart with a limpet mine on a railway line in Phoenix after they had been executed by the applicants.
The other matter to be heard in the next few days in Durban, is the abduction of a member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, Portia Ndwandwe from Swaziland by Johannes Botha, Salmon du Preez, Johannes Steyn, Andrew Taylor, Roelof Visagie, Jacobus Voster and Laurence Wasserman.
The hearings, starting from November 9 - 20 are being held at the Durban Christian Centre, Durban.
ends