Amnesty Hearings — Cape Town — 2000-06-12

CHAIRPERSON: He is the Legal Officer at the TRC.

MS COLERIDGE: Chairperson, Chairperson, if I can just come in here, just for one - I actually, Mr Martini knows that I referred the matter to Paddy Prior, our Legal Officer because of the correspondence between the two of us, so it wasn't as if the Commission had come, I actually went to our Legal Officer.  So just to get that fact straight, thank you Chairperson.

MR MARTINI: Mr Chairperson, if I may finish, Adv Prior communicates with me telephonically, I have no problem with Mr Prior and he writes to me, he says
"... We wish to confirm (this is on the 2nd of June) that according to the Supervisor of 106 Adderley Street, Cape Town, and the letting agents, Golding Commercial Properties, Cape Town, the 7th floor is not available to the TRC.  This can be confirmed by Debby McCullum, the letting agent, cellphone number 0829211244.  In the circumstances, the TRC has secured a suitable alternative venue for the forthcoming hearing, at the Freeman Centre, Cnr Main - and Upper Portswood Roads, Greenpoint.  The venue meets with the various criteria of the TRC for the holding of such public hearings, and it is a short distance outside the city bowl.  Would you kindly advise us of your client's attitude towards this arrangement."
	Now Mr Commissioner, I get no reply from the Truth Commission to my letters in order to address the issue of Athlone, no reply to my letter.  It still hasn't come.  Mr Prior communicates with me and now he suggests another venue, which we accept.  The next letter becomes important Mr Chairperson, and I am sorry we have to go through this painstakingly, but it has been raised again and it has to be placed on the record.   All right -
"... We refer to your letter the 30th of May and the 31st and the writer's subsequent telephonic discussions with Adv Prior.  (This is a letter from my office, addressed to Adv Prior on the 2nd of June)  Please note that our client still holds the same concerns as regards Athlone as a venue, as was dealt with previously.  In addition, our client's submissions as regards altering the venue to Athlone are on record.  Our client does not accept the venue in Athlone as said on your letter of the 30th of May, for reasons which need not be elaborated upon at this stage, in view of the new venue.  Our client has instructed us to advise that he is prepared to accept the new venue, namely Freeman Centre, Cnr Main Road & Upper Portswood Road, Greenpoint as set out in your letter of the 2nd of June.  Notwithstanding our client's acceptance of the new venue, our client insists that adequate and proper security be in place at such venue.  In this regard, the writer confirms having advised Adv Prior that after the hearings terminated on the 17th of March the following occurred - a certain Mr Mark Bishop, approached Capt Benade of the Security Unit and requested to see our client urgently.  Capt Benade took this gentleman up to a room with our client.  Capt Benade duly  frisked this gentleman to ensure that he had no firearms.  The gentleman then requested Capt Benade to leave the room, which he duly did.  This gentleman advised our client of a plot to attempt to assassinate our client, whilst he was at the amnesty hearings.   Our client has reported this incident to the authorities.  Whilst our client is appreciative that this may be a prank, alternatively a publicity seeker, our client nevertheless regard such incidents in a serious light and as a serious threat to his safety and security. Accordingly, notwithstanding, our client has accepted the venue at the Freeman Centre, Main Road & Upper Portswood Road, Greenpoint, Cape Town.  We would request that proper and adequate security be in place at such venue for the entire duration of the proceedings."
Next point -
"... Kindly confirm that the hearings will now take place at the Freeman Centre, Upper Portswood Road, Greenpoint, Cape Town, that proper, adequate security will be in placed at such venue, more particularly in view of what is stated herein.  Finally (and for the record) writer spoke to Debbie McCullum, that is the agent, I was invited to speak to, this afternoon as suggested in your letter. She confirmed to the writer that (1) apparently a month ago the Department of Finance took occupation of a section of the 7th floor, Adderley Street, namely the offices to the right side after entering the double glass doors; (2) the section, namely the open area which was utilised by the public to watch the televised proceedings and the actual hall in which the proceedings took place on the last occasion, together with all the offices to the left of the glass doors, is unoccupied.  She did advise however that they are presently in negotiations with the Unions to occupy this vacant space, although no agreement for occupation has yet been concluded.  The writer also discussed this with the Building Manager, Mr Carl Kiefer, who confirmed the aforesaid.  From the aforesaid discussions, it is apparent to the writer who is aware of the premises having attended at the same, that the venue is available, save for the portion to the right which on the last occasion, was utilised as a press room.  Be that as it may, our client accepts the venue in Greenpoint, subject to proper and adequate security being in place as aforestated."
	So Mr Chairperson, what we have here is no replies by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to my enquiries of the venue.  Notwithstanding that the Truth and Reconciliation were aware of this issue since the 17th of March, that letter has still not been addressed.
	What we also have is the agents and Building Manager of the TRC building, confirming that the 7th floor is still available.  So one asks the question "what is going on", Mr Commissioner.  But the fact remains, Adv Prior was given the mandate to deal with the venue, notified us of another venue which we accepted and we are here, and we hope that this issue of the venue is at an end now.
	Unfortunately I see that there is not many members of the public in the gallery.   As the Judge in the court case, the order, the interdict stated, he sees no problem for people of the Athlone community coming out to venues which isn't at a distance from Athlone.  In fact Mr Commissioner, if you have to have reference to the affidavits, the TRC provides in a budget for transportation of victims to the venue.  So what is the problem? 
	But I don't want to get embroiled in that dispute, it has been ventilated by a Court of law, we sincerely want to get on with the hearings and not waste time.
	To reply to Mr Williams, it is significant what Mr Williams had to say to day, it was never placed on record before, this division of the community in Athlone.  Why suddenly two months later, has this now, we hear this for the first time, that this bombing divided the community?  Mr Commissioner, let's get on with the purpose that we are here, we are at a new venue, we have accepted this venue, a decision has been taken and let's get on with it.  Let's not waste time, taxpayers' money and let's get on with these hearings.  Thank you Mr Commissioner.