November 15, 1999
AMNESTY DECISION BY THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
MEDIA ADVISORY
The Amnesty Committee of Truth and Reconciliation Commission today has granted amnesty to six security policemen who were implicated in offences related to the conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder of the current General of the SANDF General Lambert Moloi and three other ANC activists in Botswana in 1987.
The applicants are Willem Johannes Coetzee, Anton Pretorius, Lodewyk de Jager, Ignatius Coetzee Wikus Loots and Manual Oliphant.
During 1987 the Sowetan Intelligence Unit under the command of General Ignatius Coetzee one of the applicants and other informers successfully infiltrated the MK underground structure in Botswana. The MK unit was active in South Africa and specifically in Soweto, and was responsible for recruitment, training and infiltration of trained cadres.
The applicants conspired to kill General Moloi, Mark Shope, M.K.Sipho and M.K.Jackie who were staying at the Oasis Motel in Gaberone. The applicants were part of a group of security policemen who applied for amnesty last week in Pretoria for a number of offences. The committee found that the applicants made full disclosure of all relevant facts and their acts were associated with a political motive. The committee further granted amnesty to three ANC members Jabulane Walter Nxumalo , Vusi David Khumalo and Patric Musa Madondo. Nxumalo as a member of the MK and was granted amnesty for terrorism and sabotage offences committed in 1977.
Meanwhile, Khumalo and Madondo Self Defence Unit members were granted amnesty for attempted murder of a policemen and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition in April 1994 in Katlehong. The committee was satisfied that the actions of the applicants constituted acts associated with a political objective.
Also granted amnesty was a Free State policeman Jacobus De Ru for killing Jonas Ramphalile and Zacharia Mofekeng and defeating ends of justice. De Ru testified that he killed the deceased because he felt they were part of the PAC operation "Great Storm" killing the farmers and policemen in Ellington, Steynrust and Edenville in the district of Kroonstad.
Inquiries: Phila Ngqumba 0824588463
odile@iafrica.com