Amnesty Hearings — Cape Town — 1997-10-31

CHAIRPERSON: What is the position Mr Prior, is there a 
likelihood that we would finish with the oral evidence this 
afternoon?

MR PRIOR: Of all the victims?

CHAIRPERSON: Yes.

MR PRIOR: There seems a possibility at the rate that we have been 
able to get through the evidence, but I don't have the other 
evidence, the technical evidence regarding cartridges and I may also 
indicate to the Commission that I am investigating whether a residue 
test was done on the body of Mr Cerqueira, particularly on his hand 
to indicate possibly whether he fired or not.  I am trying to locate 
that information.

CHAIRPERSON: Well, then we are bound to - we are faced with 
the situation that at some stage or the other, we are going to 
adjourn, leaving this matter incomplete.

MR PRIOR: That is so Mr Chairman.  But certainly I would be able 
depending on my learned friend, but we seem to have got through at 
least more than half of the witnesses this morning, to maybe even 
complete the submissions of the victims.

CHAIRPERSON: Are there any victims who come from outside of 
Cape Town who might be inconvenienced if we didn't hear their 
evidence this afternoon?

MR PRIOR: The remaining victims are from the Cape Town 
surrounding area, except that at least two of the persons work is 
being effected.  I have been informed by their employers that they 
loath to extend any further time from work, however a letter from 
the Commission will suffice, but they have indicated they have 
already given a week to these people.

CHAIRPERSON: We will resume, we will adjourn now, and resume 
at quarter to two.

MR PRIOR: Thank you Mr Chairman, I call as my next witness Mr 
Roland Lewis Palm.  His submissions appear at page 34 of the 
bundle.  Mr Palm has requested that I assist him in reading out the 
statement to the Commission.  Is there any difficulty with that Mr 
Chairman?

CHAIRPERSON: No difficulty at all.

ROLAND LEWIS PALM: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, do sit down Mr Palm.

MR PRIOR: Mr Palm is it correct that you 
are the father of one of the deceased in the Heidelberg Tavern 
attack, Rolanda Palm?

ROLAND LEWIS PALM: That is correct.

MR PRIOR: Is it also correct that you were present during the 
attack at the Heidelberg Tavern on the 30th of December 1993?

ROLAND LEWIS PALM: That is also correct.

MR PRIOR: Mr Palm is it correct that you pursuant to appearing 
before the Committee, have consulted with me on a number of 
occasions?

ROLAND LEWIS PALM: That is also correct.

MR PRIOR: That you supplied me with documentation and a 
statement relating to submissions that you wish to make to this 
Committee?

ROLAND LEWIS PALM: That is right.

MR PRIOR: Is it also correct that you requested me to assist you 
drafting the submissions you wanted to make to the Committee?

ROLAND LEWIS PALM: That is true.

MR PRIOR: And is it also correct that you have indicated to me 
that you wish me to read out on your behalf, the submissions that 
you have made?

ROLAND LEWIS PALM: That I have done, because the reason being I don't 
want to go through that emotions again.

MR PRIOR: I just want for the record, are you on any medication 
at the moment?

ROLAND LEWIS PALM: Well, I am taking depressive tablets.  Well, I have been 
on it for quite a while, that is all.