IIM THE AMNESTY HEARINGS OF Q BUTHELEZI AND OTHERS BEFORETHE AMNESTY COMMITTEE

(HELD AT VANDERBIJLPARK)

In the application of:

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE Applicant

and

QAMBELENI BUTHELEZI & 16 OTHERS First set of Respondents

THE VICTIMS OF THE BOIPATONG MASSACRE Second set of Respondents

INDEX

Document Paae no:

1. Notice of Motion 1-4

2. Founding Affidavit Mr A Kluth 5-17

3. Annexure "AK1": Letter by A Kluth dd 14 June 1999 18

4. Annexure "AK2": Letter dd 24 June 1999 19-23

5. Affidavit by Mr P G van Wyk 24-43

6. Annexure "A" (Affidavit by G J van Stratten) 44-55

7. Annexure "GJVS1": Letter dd 30 April 1992 56-57

8. Affidavit by Mr Christo Davidson 58-132

9. Bundle of photographs: Annexure "CD1" 133-150

10. Annexure "CD2" to "CD5" 151-162

IN THE AMNESTY HEARINGS OF Q BUTHELEZI AMD OTHERS BEFQRFTHE AMNESTY COMMITTEE

(HELD AT VANDERBIJLPARK)

In the application of:

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE Applicant

and

QAMBELENI BUTHELEZI & 16 OTHERS First set ofRespondents

THE VICTIMS OF THE BOIPATONG MASSACRE Second set ofRespondents

NOTICE OF MOTION

KINDLY TAKE NOTICE that application will be made on behalf of the

abovenamed applicant, on a date and time to be determined by the above

Honourable Committee, for an order in the following terms:

1. That the late filing of the affidavits pertaining to the South African

National Defence Force be condoned.

2. That further and/o r alternative relief be granted to the South African

National Defence Force should it be meet.

boi-amn.nom

- 2 -

2

KINDLY TAKE NOTICE that the affidavit of Mr Armin Kluth annexed hereto

and annexures thereto will be used in support thereof.

KINDLY PLACE THE MATTER ON THE ROLL FOR HEARING

ACCORDINGLY.

TO: J H VAN DER MERWE INCORPORATEDAttorneys for First to Fifteenth ApplicantSecond FloorHamilton Forum Building140 Hamilton StreetArcadiaPRETORIA

DATED at PRETORIA on this thei L

day of JULY 1999.

Applicant’s Attorney Southern House

222 Pretorius Street PRETORIA

Tel: (012) 323-5633/4 /5 /7 Ref: Mr Kluth

Copy hereof received on JULY 1999

obo: J H VAN DER MERWE INC

boi-amn.nom

- 3 -

andTO: ADV CYNTHIA PRETORIUS

Advocate for the Sixteenth Applicant 1603 Advocates’ Chambers Momentum Centre - East Tower 343 Pretorius Street PRETORIA

Copy hereof received on JULY 1999

andTO: MS GOLDIE TANZER

Attorney for the Seventeenth ApplicantGlen Hazel Centre1 Long AvenueGlen HazelJOHANNESBURG

Copy hereof received on JULY 1999

obo: MS GOLDIE TANZER

andTO: NICHOLLS, CAMBANIS & ASSOCIATES

Attorneys for the victims 39th FloorCarlton Centre Copy hereof received onCommissioner Street JULY 1999JOHANNESBURG

obo: NICHOLLS CAMBANIS & ASSOCIATES

boi-amn.nom

- 4 -

andTO: MR ZUKO MAPOMA

The Evidence Leader VANDERBIJLPARK

Copy hereof received on JULY 1999

obo: MR ZUKO MAPOMA

boi-amn.nom

IN THE AMNESTY HEARINGS OF Q BUTHELEZI AMD OTHERS BEFORETHE AMNESTY COMMITTEE

(HELD AT VANDERBIJLPARK)

In the application of:

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE Applicant

and

QAMBELENI BUTHELEZI & 16 OTHERS First set ofRespondents

THE VICTIMS OF THE BOIPATONG MASSACRE Second set ofRespondents

FOUNDING AFFIDAVIT

I, the undersigned,

ARMIN KLUTH

declare under oath as follows:

1.

1.1 I am an adult male attorney, I practise under the style of Armin

Kluth Attorneys and Conveyancers at Southern House, 6th

Floor, 222 Pretorius Street, Pretoria.

boi-amn.klu

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6

1-2 I was instructed by the South African National Defence Force

("SANDF") who is an implicated party in the Boipatong

massacre. At all material times I have been in control of all

the files pertaining to the above matter and by virtue of the

aforesaid I have personal knowledge of all the facts pertaining

to this matter.

1 -3 Unless the contrary is stated, all the facts set out hereinafter

fall within my personal knowledge and are to the best of my

knowledge true and correct.

A. PURPOSE OF APPLICATION:

2 .

The purpose of this application is to obtain an order in the following terms:

2.1 That the late-filing of the affidavits pertaining to the SANDF be

condoned.

2.2 That further and /o r alternative relief be granted to the SANDF.

boi-amn.klu

B. BACKGROUND TO CONDONATION:

3.

3.1 This Honourable Committee adjourned on 21 May 1999 and

the Chairman of the Committee, the honourable Mr Justice

Ngcobo, ruled that if any party intended filing affidavits in

support of its case it had to do so within 10 days. Conse­

quently, all affidavits had to be filed on or before 4 June 1999.

3.2 Already before the adjournment and during the investigation

of the matter, it came to my notice that many documents

which pertain to the Boipatong massacre, had either been

lost, mislaid or possibly destroyed. Shortly after the

adjournment on 21 May 1999 and in the light of the fact that

a major portion of the documentation which relates to the

Boipatong massacre were missing, we came to the conclusion

that the only person who in reality could explain alleged

SANDF complicity, was the investigating officer who

conducted the investigation into SA Defence Force and SA

Police complicity for the Goldstone Commission of Inquiry

Hearings and also for the criminal trial which was later heard

- 3 -

8by his Lordship Mr Justice Smit.

3.3 The investigating officer who dealt with the aforesaid

investigation, is Director Christo Davidson. Mr Davidson is not

employed by the SANDF and it has also been established that

he is no longer employed by the South African Police and in

fact has retired. Negotiations had to be entered into, which

would lead to consultations with Mr Davidson and which

would lead to Mr Davidson making South African Police

documents available, as well as obtaining Mr Davidson’s co­

operation by requesting him to depose to an affidavit dealing

with his investigation. Instructions had to be obtained and

were obtained from the SANDF so as to comply with the

aforesaid steps.

3.4 In the interim, it must also be explained that, in the light of the

information which was conveyed to the Honourable

Committee during the pre-trial conference, which was held on

21 May 1999, by Adv Berger, in regard to the attitude which

he and his legal team intended to adopt in regard to the

SANDF, a comprehensive memorandum was compiled,

dealing with their viewpoint, in order to apprise the SANDF of

- 4 -

9

the further developments in the case. It was apparent that the

SANDF could easily have terminated our mandate in the light

of the sentiments expressed by Adv Berger. As a result of the

aforesaid, instructions were also awaited by the SANDF in

regard to whether further preparation in the matter should be

undertaken or not.

3.5 We intended apprising the Evidence Leader of the SANDF’s

intention to file affidavits and a draft letter was drafted

apprising the evidence leader of our attitude. A true copy of

the aforesaid draft letter is annexed hereto as annexure "AK1".

However, in the light of the aforesaid problems and further

problems which are set out more fully hereunder, the letter

was not sent as it became apparent that the deadline would

not be met. Because of continuous problems which were

being encountered, we realised that an immediate deadline

could not be set or met and consequently the letter was not

sent to the Evidence Leader.

3.6 Against the aforesaid background a further problem was

encountered in that on 24 June 1999 we received a letter from

the SANDF wherein it was stated that all matters wherein

- 5 -

implicated parties had received instructions should henceforth

stop with any further preparation and that all mandates had

consequently been terminated. A true copy of the aforesaid

letter is annexed hereto as annexure "AK2". I immediately

contacted the relevant parties at the SANDF’s offices.

Although I stressed the fact that it was important to know

whether further preparation should be conducted in this

matter, until to date hereof I have not received any written

instructions in this regard although oral instructions have been

given to me.

On 12 July 1999 I received oral instructions from Mrs Celeste

Jordaan, who is employed by the SANDF, and in order to

make absolutely sure of my instructions, I received oral

instructions from Mr Ben Minnaar, from the State Attorney’s

offices on 15 July 1999 to proceed with the preparations of

the SANDF’s case and to attend the Boipatong amnesty

hearing. It must be pointed out, with respect, that although

many steps had been taken to prepare the SANDF’s affidavits,

firm instructions were in fact only given to me on 12 July 1999

and only from that date onward could we, with a clear

conscience, proceed with the full preparation of the matter,

- 7 -

2

consult with witnesses and draft affidavits.

3.8 To complicate matters, I received a telephone call from Adv da

Silva on 13 July 1999 at approximately 15:00, indicating that

the Chairman of this Honourable Committee had ruled that a

pre-trial conference was to be held in Johannesburg the

following morning at 10:00 on 14 July 1999. It must be

stressed that neither Adv da Silva nor I were contacted directly

by the Evidence Leader but that this information was

conveyed to Adv da Silva through Adv Cynthia Pretorius. The

pre-trial conference led to consultations having to be cancelled

which had to be moved to later dates.

3.9 Apart from the aforesaid factors, which played a role in the

delay in finalising the SANDF’s affidavit, the following factors

also played a lesser role in the events leading up to and

finalising the affidavits:

3.9.1 Advocate da Silva went on leave for a week

during the recess as is the normal custom at the

Bar.

boi-amn.klu

13

3.9.2 Mr Davidson also took a week’s leave.

3.9.3 I must explain to the Honourable Committee that

I am in fact a sole practitioner. During July 1999

my clerk, who is about to be admitted as an

attorney of the High Court of South Africa and

who I intended giving a position in my firm,

resigned. The second clerk who is in my

employ also indicated that he wished to resign

and after lengthy negotiations, although he has

indicated that he does not intend proceeding

with his further legal studies, he acceded to

remain in my employ for the next number of

months. As a result of the aforesaid personnel

problems, I appointed a professional assistant

on an urgent basis. In order to appoint her, I

had to conduct interviews and take the

necessary steps to find a suitable person.

3.10 In considering the question whether condonation should be

granted to the SANDF to file their affidavits, we are of the

respectful view that a factor which should be taken into

- 8 -

boi-amn.klu

- 9 -

account, is the prejudice which any parties may suffer as a

result of the late filing of the aforesaid affidavits. We are of the

respectful view that the parties which are involved in this

hearing cannot be prejudiced by the filing of the affidavits and

this viewpoint is held because of the following factors:

3.10.1 We were informed at the pre-trial conference on

14 July 1999 that the legal team for the victims

intend calling three witnesses. In the light of the

long cross-examination which has taken place

until now, I do not believe that the three

remaining witnesses’ evidence will take longer

than three days. I am not aware of the amount

of witnesses that the applicants intend calling.

However, the point that I wish to make, is that

the proceedings on the present amount of

witnesses should be completed within a week.

3.10.2 At this juncture, I wish to point out that the

SANDF’s affidavits will be made available during

the morning of 19 July 1999 and that all the

parties who are involved in this hearing will have

boi-amn.klu

- 1 0 -

the opportunity to study the affidavits as from 19

July 1999.

3.10.3 In the light of the fact that the matter has been

set down for two weeks, until 30 July 1999, I

respectfully believe that even if there is any party

who believes that he has been prejudiced by the

contents of the affidavits, which are annexed

hereto, that those parties may in the light of the

"extra time" which is available, request this

Honourable Committee to stand down in order

to complete his or her preparations.

3.10.4 Moreover, we are also of the respectful

viewpoint that the evidence, which is contained

in the SANDF’s affidavits, is not new matter but

is matter which has been canvassed in various

documents which have been placed before this

Committee and which is matter which should

have been foreseen by the various parties

during their preparation of this matter.

boi-amn.klu

- 1 1 -

3.10.5 We verily believe that in order to arrive at the

truth of this matter and in order to determine the

amnesty applications, it is absolutely necessary

that the affidavits deposed to by Mr van Wyk, Mr

van Stratten and Mr Davidson should be

received in evidence.

D. CONCLUSION:

4.

In the premises, I humbly request this Honourable Committee to grant the

relief contained in the notice of motion which accompanies this affidavit.

Signed and sworn before me at _

on this th e _______ I p j day of

1999 the deponent having acknowledged that he/she knows and

understands the contents of this declaration and that he/she has no

boi-amn.klu

J t < M

- 1 2 -

objection to the taking of the prescribed oath and that he/she considers it

binding on h is/her conscience. I certify further that the provisions of

Regulation R.1258 of 21 July 1972 have been complied with.

l. U 'WX »1M ISS IO N ER OF OATHS ETTIE MARIA DA SILVA Ex Officio: Practising Attorney DA SILVA ATTORNEYS 701 Unikra Flats 330 Beckett Street Arcadia PRETORIA

boi-amn.klu

ARMIN KLUTHATTORNEYS & CONVEYANCERS PROKUREURS & TRANSPORTBESORGERSIN ASSOCIATION WITH / IN ASSOSIASIE MET

CECILE BOTHA ATTORNEYS/PROKUREURS

P.O. Box /Posbus 720PRETORIA0001

TEL: 323 5633/4/5/7 FAX: 323 5658

SOUTHERN HOUSE/GEBOU6th Floor/6de Vloer222 Pretorius Str/St.222C/o H/v Bank Lane/LaanPRETORIA0002

Your ref: U verw:

Our ref:Ons verw: AB.0000

Enquiries:Navrae: AK/ev Date:

Datum: 14-06-1999

THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COM M ISSION AM NESTY COMMITTEE P O BOX 3162 CAPE TOW N 8000

Dear Mr. Mapoma,

re: AMNESTY HEARINGS : BOIPATONG MASSACREDuring the pre-trial conference on 21st May 1999 his Lordship Mr. Justice Ngcobo directed that if the parties intended filing affidavits should do so within 10 days. Our understanding is that papers should have been filed on or before 4th June 1999.We wish to bring it to your attention that the South African National Defence Force intends filing affidavits exculpating the S A N D F from any blame whatsoever. However, after lengthy consultations we have not been in a position to file papers before 4 June 1999. However, we intend to do so by 18th June 1999.

We intend keeping you abreast of any further developments and should you have any enquiries, kindly contact me at any of the above numbers.

Yours faithfully ARMIN KLUTH

ARMIN KLUTH BLCLL.B (PRET)

CECILE BOTHA B.Iuris, LLB (SA)

SiSfSSI? 310 B E P E R K / R E S T R I C T E D

M3:91 66

D EPARTEM EN T VAN VERDEDIGING DEPARTM ENT OF DEFENCE

H F I N / C FIN TELEFAXT elefoon / T elep hone : 355 5968 P rivaatsak / P rivate Bag X 175 P retoria 0001 AFDELING FI N A N SIE S

FINANCE D IV ISIO NTELEFAX

DEKBLAD/CO VERSH EET

JOUBERT & KLUTHATimx/m&l I

i m m m

M rs C. Jordaan (012) 355-5919• jA .....t l u b h ...........

3 Z 3 S jQ S?'

V AN / FR O M :FA X N R /N O :A A N /T O :FAX N R /NO :A A N TA L B L A D SY E IN SL U IT E N D E DIE D E K B L A D :B O O D S K A P I M ESS A G E

U T E p :HAN N IN G /SIG N A T U R EZ u I (o [ ^ ° i

D A T U M /D A T E

S / I ‘ d

b e p e r k / r e s t r i c t e dIHHT>JHI H-in LM T C :P f l t7? MO

C 0 ' d Z9& S i g ^ S c t ? c T 0 t^0:9 T bb6 T—Nl IJT

RESTRICTEDC FIN/R/106/15/WVKALG

« : (012)355-5968 Enquiries: Mrs C. Jordaan Fax: (012)355-5919

Department o f Defence (Finance Division) Private Bag X I75 Pretoria 0001

2^-June 1999

Armin Kluth Attorneys Per faxAttention: A. Kluth

LEGAL REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE AMNESTY COMMITTEE OF THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION1. This Department’s letter with reference C FIN/R/TRC/GEN dated 11 May 1999 refers.2. Attached please find the decision made by the State Attorney’s office concerning the legal representation o f “implicated members".2. Where applicable, kindly finalise the matter immediately and forward the account.3. Your co-operation is appreciated.

( C o r d a i n(MRS CJORDAAN)

~ RY FOR DEFENCE: DIRECTOR GENERAL

S/2'd

RESTRICTEDI HHTrIH I H -Iff LUTC: PC* AC. k in r

S t a a t s p r o l u r e u ru r e u r

FEDSURE FORUM SUIDTORING • SOUTH TOWER 4DE VLOER • 4TH FLOORVan der Waltstraat

Van der Walt Street PRETORIA, 0002

Private Bag * 9 '

PRETORIA0001« (0 1 2 )3 1 0 2788 FAX (0 1 2 )3 2 2 0177 D0CEX: 298

Navrae:Enquiries: K J MOLOI/21 310 2789 22 JUNE 1999

My RefM y V e rw 4 2 /6 0 /1 0 3 2 1 /J2 (VOL I) U Verw.

Your Ref.

ATTENTION: CELEST JORDAAN

1. The Chief of theS A National Defence Force PRETORIA

ATTENTION: INNES SONNEKUS FAX: 339-1768

2. The Director General S A Police Service PRETORIA

LEGAL REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE AMNESTY COMMITTEE OF THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION

Kindly take notice that after consultation with the Minister of Justice and the

Truth and Reconciliation Commission it has been decided that legal

representation shall not be provided by the State to any implicated person(s) as contemplated in Act 34 of 1995 with immediate effect.

In cases where such representation has already been approved such approval and mandate are hereby terminated forthwith and legal representatives

concerned must be informed accordingly and be requested to submit their accounts to date. *

Any implicated person desiring to be afforded legal representation by the State

where such has been terminated by this notice or where the hearing for amnesty is pending and such implicated person desires legal representation at

Haal altyd my verwysingsnommer aan / Always quote my reference numberi h h t > i h i d j m i c H -ir r i . u T C - r a cc ^ u n r

State expense, such implicated person shall submit to the State Attorney

through normal channels, a detailed motivation as to why an exception should be made in his/her case. The motivation shall also contain details of any

possibility of a detrimental decision been made acjain'st him/her or contemplation of such a decision by the Amnesty Committee as set out in

Section 30 of Act 34 of 1995. The implicated person must also indicate why

legal representation at the hearing will be more effective than submission of representation(s) in writing as provided for in the said section.

As regards applicants for amnesty legal representation at State expense will be provided on the following conditions:

1. All new applications or applications that have not vet commenced: Only one legal representative shall be appointed at a hearing. If there

are multiple applicants at the same hearing and there is no conflict of interest, only one legal representative shall be appointed. In the event of a possible conflict of interest in a case of multiple applicants, legal representation shall be provided to each applicant or group of applicants. Should an applicant for amnesty require the appointment of an attorney and an advocate in his/her application, full motivation

shall be required as to the circumstances justifying such an

appointment.

2. All matters that have commenced and are part-heard:Where an appointed attorney has retained counsel for the hearing, only

counsel need to make appearances at the hearing from now onwards as only counsel's fees for appearances shall be paid by the State. Should a matter be deserving of appearances by both an attorney and counsel, full motivation shall be submitted to the State Attorney for

consideration. The applicant involved has the onus of submitting to

the State Attorney all the relevant facts justifying a departure from the

above general rule. The Amnesty Committee shall, at the hearing of the application, be asked to monitor the necessity, contribution and the amount of work justifying the engagement of two legal representatives

i h h t ;mh h -ih i,u ? c - pct c c . w n r

and make representations to the State Attorney. If during any hearing

it becomes evident that there is no necessity for two legal

representatives the State reserves the right to terminate'the brief of one

legal representative with immediate effect and the other legal representative will be allowed to finalise the hearing. The procedure

determined by the Commission, in contrast to that bf the Courts of law, does not require the appearance of both an attorney and counsel at the

hearing.

3. In all applications where legal representation is granted the fees shall be approved by the State Attorney beforehand.

Please notify the legal representatives involved forthwith.

%

LHHTiHH I m a UrtPQ-.FQ , f r? MCir

WAARHEID EN VERSOENINGSKOMMISSIE BOIPATONG AMNESTIE VERHOOR

Ek, die ondergetekende

PETER GABRIeL VAN WYK

verklaar onder eed soos volg:

1.

1.1 Ek is ’n meerderjarige Internationale Bemarker te Yskor,

Vanderbijlpark.

1.2 Ek is sedert 1974 in diens van Yskor, Vanderbijlpark.

Gedurende Junie 1992 was ek ’n burgermagmajoor in die

Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag gestasioneer te Vaal Kommando.

1.3 Tensy waar die teendeel blyk, val al die feite wat hierin vervat

word binne my persoonlike kennis en is hierdie feite na die

beste van my wete waar en korrek.

- 2 -

A. INLEIDING:

2 .

2.1 Ek is gedurende 1975 as ’n kandidaat offisier by Vaal

Kommando toegedeel. Ek was eers aangestel as personeel

offisier en kort daarna is ek as Vaal Kommando se adjudant

aangestel. Ek het die funksies van adjudant to t en met 1994

uitgevoer. As gevolg van my posisie as adjudant te Vaal

Kommando was ek daagliks in kontak met lede van Vaal

Kommando. Die primere doel van Vaal Kommando

gedurende 1992 was die volgende:

2.1.1 Die beskerming van Yskor-Vanderbijlpark, die Barrage

damwal en Olympus Kragstasie wat ingevolge die Wet

op Nasionale Sleutelpunte, Wet 102 van 1980,

nasionale sleutelpunte was. Die nasionale sleutelpunte

is beskerm deur roetine patrollies deur lede van Vaal

Kommando wat met twee Buffel voertuie uitgevoer is.

Die patrollie voertuie is ook aangewend om Yskor-

busse wat Yskor werknemers tussen Kwa-Masiza en

Yskor Vanderbiljlpark vervoer het, te begelei.

boy-wyk.ver

2.1.2 Die beskerming van die Vanderbijlpark sakegebied

sowei as die beskerming van die residensiele gebied

wat naby aan Yskor, Vanderbijlpark, gelee is. ’n

Toyota bakkie wat beman was deur ’n drywer en vyf

soldate is gebruik om hierdie taak uit te voer. Die

Toyota bakkie is ook bekend as ’n "riot bakkie" of as ’n

"vistenk" as gevolg van die feit dat deurskynende

veselglas op die kante van die bakkie aangebring is in

’n poging om die insittendes te beskerm. Wanneer die

"riot bakkie" die sakegebied gepatrolleer het, het dit ook

die gebied van Dongesstraat en die heining om Yskor

gepatrolleer. Dongesstraat is as voorkomingsmaatreel

gepatroleer gedurende 1992 omdat dit die blanke

woongebied en die swart woongebied te Vanderbijlpark

geskei het. Gedurende daardie tydperk was daar baie

klagtes van Yskor werknemers van Dongesstraat van

onrusverwante insidente.

2.1.3 Die patrollering van paaie in die onmiddellike omgewing

van Yskor Vanderbijlpark. Hierdie taak is ook deur die

"riot bakkie" verrig.

- 3 -

- \ 7

- 4 -

B. AGTERGROND:

3.

3.2

3.3

boy-wyk.ver

Gedurende die vroee negentiger-jare was ek daarvan bewus

dat daar konflik was tussen IFP en ANC lede was. As

werknemer van Yskor Vanderbijlpark is ek ook bewus daarvan

dat die konflik so versleg het dat dit selfs Yskor se produksie

be'invloed het. Ek is verder bewus daarvan dat inwoners van

die Kwa-Madala hostel, wat werksaam is te Yskor

Vanderbijlpark, terwyl hulle in Frikkie Meyer Boulevard geloop

het, deur inwoners van Boipatong aangeval is.

Ek is ook bewus van die feit dat die busse wat Yskor

werknemers vervoer het van Kwa-Masiza hostel na Yskor en

terug, aangeval is.

As gevolg van voormelde aanvalle op die Yskor-busse was

een van Vaal Kommando se primere take die begeleiding van

die busse wat die Yskor werknemers vervoer het tussen die

Kwa-Masiza hostel en Yskor Vanderbijlpark. Hierdie funksie

is deur middel van roetine patrollies uitqevoer. Die roetine

- 5 -

3.5

3.6

boy-wyk.ver

patrollies is so aangepas dat dit met die skofte wat die Yskor

werknemers gewerk het, gekoordineer is.

Die funksies van Vaal Kommando is deur kom m ando/burger-

maglede wat hoofsaaklik Yskor werknemers was, verrig.

Hierdie lede se oproepinstruksies het spesifiek aangedui dat

hulle opgeroep is vir "NSP-beskerming" wat aandui dat die lid

opgeroep is vir "Nasionale Sleutelpuntbeskerming".

Wanneer lede opgeroep is vir ’n burgermagkamp is hulle in ’n

oorvleuelingsfase met dienende lede heropgelei ten einde

onder andere hulle paraatheid te verskerp en hulle vertroud te

maak met die plaaslike omstandighede. Verskillende lesings

is aan lede aangebied, onder andere is daar lesings oor

regsaspekte aangebied. Tydens die lesings wat gehandel het

oor regsaangeleenthede is die implikasie van die

Onlusregulasies en die lede se pligte ingevolge die

Onlusregulasies aan hulle verduidelik.

Tydens die lesings is spesifiek instruksies aan Vaal

Kommando lede gegee dat hulle nie ingevolge die

Onlusregulasies pe " Daar

- 6 -

is ook spesifieke instruksies aan lede van Vaal Kommando

gegee dat hulle nie die swart woongebiede sonder ’n

uitdruklike opdrag om dit te doen en sonder die teenwoordig-

heid van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie mag ingaan nie. Uit die

aard van die saak sou lede geregtig wees om hulself te

beskerm in ’n nood-situasie.

3.7 Indien lede bewus geword het van ’n misdaad, was hulle

geregtig om ingevolge die Strafproseswet ’n arrestasie uit te

voer maar was hulle opdrag om dadelik die polisie te roep om

die aangeleentheid te ondersoek.

3.8 Daar is instruksies gegee aan lede dat hulle onder geen

omstandighede in "sagtevelvoertuie" in die swart woongebiede

mag beweeg nie. Die "riot bakkie" is ’n voorbeeld van ’n

sagtevelvoertuig terwyl ’n Buff el voertuig as ’n

"hardevelvoertuig" beskou was.

3.9 Ek het opgemerk dat hierdie instruksies somtyds to t groot

frustrasie onder die kommandolede gelei het aangesien hulle

gevoel het dat hul hande gebind was en die doel van ’n kamp

doelloos was.

boy-wyk.ver

3.10

3.11

3.12

boy-wyk.ver

Dit dien gemeld te word dat daar ’n ander weermag

komponent, Groep 17, bestaan het wat as hoofdoel gehad het

om die Afdeling Binnelandse Stabiliteit van die Suid-Afrikaanse

Polisie (hierna verwys as die "ABS") te ondersteun, indien deur

die ABS so versoek. As adjudant van Vaal Kommando was

dit nie deel van my dagtaak om insae te he in Groep 17 se

aktiwiteite nie.

Gedurende Junie 1992 was daar drie seinkamers, een te Vaal

Kommando, een te Groep 17 en die ander te die ABS. Die

"riot bakkie" en twee Buffels was in konstante kontak met die

seinkamer te Vaal Kommando. Die lede in die "riot bakkie" en

twee Buffels kon egter nie Groep 17 en die ABS direk per

radio kontak nie. Die Vaal Kommando lede in die voertuie

kon ook nie direk met die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie kontak maak

nie. Indien ’n voorval sou ontstaan wat polisie teenwoordig-

heid genoodsaak het, moes lede in ’n voertuig Vaal

Kommando se seinkamer kontak wie dan met die SAP of ABS

per radio of per telefoon in verbinding sou tree vir verdere

gekoordineerde optrede.

- 7 -

3.13

3.14

boy-wyk.ver

wat opgeroep was vir burgermagkampe te Vaal Kommando,

werknemers van Yskor Vanderbijlpark. Gevolglik is ’n groot

mate van koordinering gedoen met Yskor Vanderbijlpark

voordat lede vir ’n weermagkamp opgeroep is. Die rede

daarvoor was dat indien lede sonder die samewerking van

Yskor opgeroep is, sou dit gelei het tot bedryfsteurings.

Gevolglik is daar in samewerking met Yskor lede se kampe

beplan. Dit dien gemeld te word dat die verantwoordelik-

heidsgebied van Vaal Kommando as ’n lae intensiteitsgebied

geklassifiseer was in terme van onlusverwante voorvalle omdat

daar nooit groot probleme ondervind was nie. As gevolg van

voormelde is daar oor die jare slegs ’n "skeletonmag" gebruik

om Vaal Kommando se patrolliering te doen.

’n Buffet voertuig se normale kompliment sou ’n seksie wees

wat bestaan het uit ’n drywer en 10 soldate. Later jare was dit

nie ongewoon om ’n Buffet te beman met ’n drywer en slegs

3 soldate.

Die normale kompliment van ’n "riot bakkie" was die

bevelvoerder, die drywer en 5 soldate. Dit was ook nie

- 8 -

soldate wat die bevelvoerder en drywer van die "riot bakkie"

sou insluit nie.

3.15 Dit dien verder gemeld te word dat Groep 17 drie seksies,

bestaande uit 3 Buffels en 30 soldate, permanent op bystand

gehad het en gevolglik in ’n posisie was om 30 soldate op

redelike kort kennis beskikbaar te stel vir ’n operasie.

3.16 Dit dien gemeld te word dat op ’n deurlopende basis ’n

gekoordineerde dreigende analise tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse

Polisie, Vaal Kommando en Groep 17 plaasgevind het

waarvolgens optredes en mannekragbehoeftes toegedeel is

of bepaal is.

C. RAAD VAN ONPERSOEK:

4.

4.1 Op 18 Junie 1992 was ek in my kantoor te Yskor,

Vanderbijlpark besig met my normale dagtaak toe ek ’n

oproep van Vaal Kommando se bevelvoerder ontvang het. Hy

het my meegedeel dat ek as president van ’n raad van

- 9 -

- 10 -

3^

4.2

boy-wyk.ver

ondersoek moet optree om bewerings te ondersoek dat lede

van Vaal Kommando by ’n sogenaamde menseslagting te

Boipatong gedurende die nag van 17 Junie 1992 betrokke

was. ’n Luitenant is aan my gesekondeer as lid van die Raad

om my by te staan. Ek het dadelik verklarings begin neem

van alle weermaglede wat by Vaal Kommando was en wat

pligte op 17 Junie 1992 en 18 Junie 1992 uitgevoer het.

Nadat ek verklarings van al die lede geneem het, was dit vir

my duidelik dat die weergawes wat deur die weermaglede

gegee is met mekaar strook.

Benewens om verklarings van al die weermaglede te Vaal

Kommando te neem het ek ook die volgende stappe geneem

ten einde Vaal Kommando se moontlike betrokkenheid in die

Boipatong aanval te ondersoek:

4.2.1 Die oorspronklike dokumentasie in die seinkamer is

nagegaan ten einde vas te stel of die seindokumentasie

geklop het met die weergawe wat deur die

weermaglede gegee is.

-11 -

of hierdie dokumente met die weermaglede se

weergawe geklop het. Dit het inderdaad geklop.

4.2.3 Die ammunisieregisters is nagegaan wat aangedui het

dat gasgranate wel afgeskiet is en dat dit wel in die

registers aangeteken is. Die ammunisieregisters het

aangedui welke ammunisie en wapens gebruik is en

dat daar geen ander ammunisie of wapens gebruik is

nie. Hierdie bevinding het gestrook met die inhoud van

die lede se verklarings.

4.2.4 Die insidentverslae wat deur die bevelvoerders van die

Buffels en "riot bakkie" opgestel is, is nagegaan. Die

inligting wat daarin vervat is het met die lede se

weergawes gestrook.

4.2.5 Die patrollieverslae wat aangeheg was tot die

voertuigplanne is ook nagegaan. Die verslae het

geklop met die weergawes wat deur die lede gegee is.

4.2.6 Gedurende die eersvolgende dae is verskeie inspeksies

van die omliggende gebied per voet en per lug\\

- 12 -

gedoen. Dit het geblyk dat die gras in die gebied

tussen die Kwa-Madala hostel en Frikkie Meyer

Boulevard plat getrap is en dit het geblyk dat daar ’n

groot aantal mense deur die gras moes beweeg het.

Dit blyk dat ’n gat in die grensheining tussen die

spoorlyn en Frikkie Meyer Boulevard oopgeknip is en

dit het geblyk asof mense deur hierdie gat beweeg het

in die rigting van Kwa-Madala hostel.

4.2.7 Tydens die neem van verklarings was dit duidelik dat

die getuies ten tyde van hul waarneming van gebeure

die nag van 17 Junie 1992 nie bewus was van die

werklike toedrag van sake in Boipatong nie.

4.2.8 Nadat ek my ondersoek afgehandel het was dit vir my

duidelik dat die weergawe wat die weermaglede gegee

het nie net met mekaar gestrook het nie maar ook deur

dokumentere getuienis gestaaf is en dat hulle optrede

binne neergelegde voorskrifte en bevele was. Die

slotsom waartoe die raad van ondersoek gekom het

was dat lede van Vaal Kommando nie by die aanval

betrokke was nie en dat geen nalatigheid of opset aan

- 1 3 -

hulle toegedig kon word nie.

4.3 Nadat ek die Raad van Ondersoek voltooi het, het sy Edele

Regter Goldstone en later adv Anton Mostert wat die

Weermag verteenwoordig het, Vaal Kommando besoek en my

ondersoek met my bespreek. Die inhoud van die ondersoek

is ook tot insae van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie gestel. Sover

dit my kennis strek het of die lede van die Goldstone

Kommissie of adv Mostert en sy regspan of albei die

oorspronklike Raad van Ondersoek sowel as alle eksemplare

daarvan verwyder. Ek het ’n breedvoerige soektog van stapel

gestuur en kan nie afskrifte van die Raad van Ondersoek vind

nie.

D. VERLOOP VAN GEBEURE:

5.

Uit die inligting bevat in die Raad van Ondersoek wat voltooi is, het dit

geblyk dat die optrede van Vaal Kommando tydens die nag van 17 Junie

1992 soos volg was: ^

Gedurende die nag van 17 Junie 1992 was onder-korporaal

Roberts en 4 ander lede besig om Vanderbijlpark se

sakegebied in ’n "riot bakkie" te patrolleer. Hulle het ’n berig

van die seinkamer te Vaal Kommando ontvang dat skote

vanuit Boipatong op Cape Gate se sekuriteitspersoneel gevuur

is. Onder-korporaal Roberts is toe na Nobel Boulevard wat

aan die Noordekant van Boipatong is ten einde die voorval te

ondersoek. Terwyl onder-korporaal Roberts in ’n oostelike

rigting in Nobel Boulevard beweeg het, het hy ’n brandende

voertuig Noord-Oos van Boipatong gesien. Hy het nader aan

die voertuig beweeg en tot die slotsom gekom dat hy niks

daaromtrent kon doen nie aangesien die voertuig reeds in ’n

gevorderde stadium gebrand het en dat daar geen persone in

die omgewing van die brandende voertuig was nie. Die

insident is aan Vaal Kommando se seinkamer gerapporteer.

Op hierdie stadium was alles in Boipatong nog baie stil. Dit

dien gemeld te word dat enkele skote wat in swart woon-

gebiede afgevuur word nie ’n abnormale voorkoms was nie.

Na hierdie voorval het onder-korporaal Roberts en sy seksie

voortgegaan met hulle normale patrolliedienste. Terwyl hy in

Dongesstraat in Vanderbijlpark beweeg het, het hy skote uit/ \ w

- 15 -

die rigting van Boipatong gehoor. Onder-korporaal Roberts

het teruggekeer na Boipatong en weer in Nobel Boulevard

beweeg in die rigting van die brandende voertuig. Toe hy by

Cape Gate kom is hy deur sekuriteitsbeamptes gestop en

meegedeel dat daar vanaf Boipatong op hulle geskiet is.

5.3 In daardie stadium het hy die lede wat in die "riot bakkie" was

beveel om uit die "riot bakkie" te klim en in ’n patrollie formasie

langs die "riot bakkie" in ’n westelike rigting in die rigting van

Uniepark Motors te beweeg. Hierdie bevel is gegee

hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die feit dat die "riot bakkie" ’n

sagtevel voertuig was en nie beskerming hou vir die

insittendes terwyl hulle binne die bakkie was nie.

5.4 Terwyl die lede patrollie gestap het in Nobel Boulevard het ’n

swartman vanuit die rigting van Boipatong na hulle gehardloop

en hulle meegedeel dat daar by sy huis ingebreek is. Die lede

het hierdie persoon aangesien hy beseer is na Cape Gate se

sekuriteitsbeamptes verwys sodat hy mediese hulp by hulle

kon kry en die polisie kon verwittig.

- 1 6 -

5.7

5.8

boy-wyk.ver

Odendaal is deur die seinkamer na Cape Gate gestuur. Die

voertuig het in Frikkie Meyer Boulevard beweeg en in Nobel

Boulevard Oos gedraai in die rigting van Cape Gate. In

hierdie stadium het die insittendes van die Buffel ’n groot

groep swartmense in die veld langs Boipatong gesien. Die

voertuig het in die rigting van Cape Gate beweeg, omgedraai

en terugbeweeg in die rigting van Uniepark Motors.

Terwyl onder-korporaal Odendaal se voertuig terugbeweeg het

in die rigting van Unipark Motors het hy opgemerk dat die

groep swart persone op daardie stadium besig was om in die

rigting van Frikkie Meyer Boulevard te beweeg. Onder-

korporaal Odendaal het die indruk gevorm dat hierdie groep

mense oppad na Kwa-Madala hostel was. Dit moet

verduidelik word dat behalwe vir Yskor se perseel daar geen

ander perseel in daardie omgewing is nie.

In daardie stadium het ’n verdere Buffel voertuig van Vaal

Kommando onder die bevel van korporaal Van Stratten op die

h /v Frikkie Meyer Boulevard en Nobel Boulevard opgedaag.

Korporaal Van StrattRn se Ruffel hf=t in Nnhpl RnniP\/arH nery

- 1 7 -

5.9

5.10

tot by Cape Gate waar ’n gesprek gevoer is met die

sekuriteitsbeamptes, ’n U-draai is uitgevoer en die Buffel het

terug in die rigting van Uniepark Motors gery.

In die lig van die feit dat daar ’n groot groep mense besig was

om Frikkie Meyer Boulevard oorte steek en aangesien Frikkie

Meyer Boulevard ’n besige pad is, het korporaal Van Stratten

besluit om die verkeer wat in Frikkie Meyer Boulevard in ’n

suidelike rigting beweeg te stop. Korporaal van Stratten het

voorsien dat indien die verkeer nie gestop word nie sou

motoriste in die groep mense wat besig was om Frikkie Meyer

Boulevard oor te steek, vasry. Ek verwys die agbare komitee

na ’n beedigde verklaring van korporaal Van Stratten wat

hierby aangeheg word as aanhangsel "A" hiertoe.

Nadat die groep mense Frikkie Meyer Boulevard oorgesteek

het, het korporaal Van Stratten ’n radio opdrag van Maj

Jordaan, wat Vaal Kommando se operasionele bevelvoerder

is ontvang, om met sy Buffel na Kwa-Madala hostel se

hoofhek te ry en voor Kwa-Madala hostel se hoofhek te stop.

Dit moet verduidelik word dat nadat die groep mense Frikkie

Meyer Boulevard oorgesteek het en ’n ent van die pad weg

- 18 -

5.11

5.12

5.13

boy-wyk.ver

beweeg het, het hulle uit sig uit "verdwyn". Korporaal van

Stratten het die afleiding gemaak dat hierdie groep mense

oppad na Kwa-Madala hostel beweeg.

Na ’n ruk het Maj Jordaan sowel as lede van die Suid-

Afrikaanse Polisie by korporaal Van Stratten se Buffel

aangesluit.

Die twee Buffels en die "riot bakkie", het by die Kwa-Madala

hostel se hoofhek gewag aangesien hulle die situasie wou

monitor en wou bepaal wat met die groep mense gebeur het.

Die lede van Vaal Kommando was onder die indruk dat daar

geen ander ingang tot die Kwa-Madala hostel was as deur die

hoofhek nie en daarom het hulle daardie punt gemonitor.

Nadat die lede van Vaal Kommando ’n ruk gewag het en dit

geblyk het dat die groep mense nie te voorskyn kom nie, het

Maj Jordaan korporaal Van Stratten beveel om terug na

Frikkie Meyer Boulevard te gaan ten einde te sien of hy die

groep mense kon sien. Dit moet verduidelik word dat die

gebied tussen Frikkie Meyer Boulevard en Kwa-Madala hostel

bereik kon word nie.

5.14 Op ’n latere stadium het korporaal Odendaal met sy Buffel by

korporaal Van Straaten se Buffel aangesluit en die twee

voertuie het saam op en af in Frikkie Meyer Boulevard beweeg

in ’n poging om te sien of hulle die groep mense kon sien.

Majoor Jordaan het ook opdrag gegee dat gasgranate in die

gebied ingeskiet word in ’n poging om reaksie uit die groep

mense te lok indien hulle daar sou wees. Geen persone is

gewaar nie.

5.15 Om ongeveer 01:00 en aangesien geen persoon opgespoor

kon word het Maj Jordaan opdrag gegee dat die twee Buffels

en die "riot bakkie" moet onttrek en na Vaal Kommando moet

terugkeer.

D. SLOTSOM:

- 19 -

Na aanleiding van die Raad van Ondersoek wat deur my voltooi is en die

verdere ondersoek wat ek gedoen het, het ek tot die slotsom gekom dat

daar geen lede van die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag en meer spesifiek geen

Junie 1992 betrokke was nie.

^3- 2 0 -

PETER

Ek sertifiseer dat die verklaarder erken het dat hy met die i

verklaringwatvoormyte e r v o E __vA__________

op hierdie \<> dag van __________1999

geteken en beedig is, vertroud is en dit begryp en dat daar aan die

bepalings van die Regulasies vervat in Goewermentskennisgewing R1258

van 21 Julie 1972, soos gewysig, voidoervis.-

! 'W p ^ T R T m N S E " p o lHTe d Te n sA R E A P R E T O R iA (G AU T EN G )

1993 - 07 - 1 5

P R E T O q iA - S E N TR AALVQ E N T R A i

I SOUTH AFRICAN POLICe 1 T O ? ~ "

V

/ V / f c L c=z>/

KOMMISSARIS VAN EDE

boy-wyk.ver

Aanhangsel "A"

WAARHEID EN VERSOENINGSKOMMISSIE BOIPATONG AMNESTIE VERHOOR

Ek, die ondergetekende,

GERHARDUS JACOBUS VAN STRATTEN

verklaar onder eed soos volg:

1.

1.1 Ek is ’n meerderjarige sakeman. Ek woon te Grahamstraat Nr

7, SE2, Vanderbijlpark; en

1.2 Tensy waar die teendee! blyk, val al die feite wat hierin vervat

word binne my persoonlike kennis en is hierdie feite na die

beste van my wete waar en korrek.

INLEIDING:

2 .

Gedurende 1986 tydens my diensjbligopleiding het ek ’n junior leierskursus

- 2 -

te Oudtshoorn voltooi. Daarna is ek deurgaans as seksiebevelvoerder

aangewend te 6 Suid-Afrikaanse Infanterie Bataljon Grahamstad in

binnelandse onlus situasies. Gedurende Julie 1988 het ek my diensplig

voltooi. Na voltooiing van my diensplig is ek aan Vaal Kommando toegewys

en was gedurende 1992 werksaam te Yskor Vanderbijlpark as ’n

skeduleerder.

Gedurende die begin van Mei 1992 het ek ’n oproepinstruksie ontvang om

’n Burgermagkamp te Vaal Kommando te doen. ’n Ware afskrif van die

voormelde oproepinstruksies word hierby aangeheg as aanhangsel

"GJVS1". Die agbare komitee sal opmerk dat ek deur Vaal Kommando vir

"NSPBeskerming", wat beteken Nasionale Sleutelpunt Beskerming, opgeroep

Toe ek vir my weermagkamp te Vaal Kommando op 5 Junie 1992

gerapporteer het het ek eers ’n opleidingsprogram deurgemaak.

Verskillende lesings is aan my gegee en onder andere is daar lesings oor

regsaspekte aangebied. Die implikasies van die Onlusregulasies is aan my

4.

boi-str.ver

Collection Number: AK2672 Goldstone Commission BOIPATONG ENQUIRY Records 1990-1999 PUBLISHER: Publisher:- Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand Location:- Johannesburg ©2012

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