Amnesty Hearings — Johannesburg — 1998-09-16

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, no, thank you.  We understand.  We have taken note of the fact that arrangements have been made for a lawyer to assist you and the family to deal with the matter.  We also accept that our staff will assist you in getting in touch with the lawyer immediately.  I just wanted to confirm that position first of all with you, and secondly, to tell you that there is a further person who applies for amnesty in this case.  He's not here right now, but we are taking steps to have him come here.  Hopefully he will be here tomorrow.
	So then in all likelihood the matter would be able to proceed tomorrow or as quickly thereafter as possible.  So, we're satisfied that steps have been taken to assist you to be able to put the case before us.  So you'll have an opportunity to do that.  Okay.  Mr Mbandazayo, have you got anything that you want to put on record, as you can appreciate we are moving towards at least letting the matter stand over until tomorrow, but do you have anything that you want to add?

MR MBANDAZAYO: None, Mr Chairman.  I understand the situation and predicament which the Committee finds itself in it because of this what has transpired, that there is also another applicant.  So, we'll wait, also myself, I can confirm that the applicant will be here tomorrow.  I have phoned at Boksburg Prison and they confirmed that they are making arrangements that he will be here tomorrow.  Thank you, Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Mr Mbandazayo.  That's good news.  And just to confirm that you will be looking into the possibility of assisting that, if it's possible to assist the applicant as well.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Yes, Mr Chairman, I'll do that.  Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: We appreciate your assistance.  Mr Mapoma, I'm about to let the matter stand down, unless there's anything else that you want to raise.

MR MAPOMA: Yes, Chairperson.  What I've just heard now from Mr Khungwane is that they would like to have some assistance from the Committee for this particular witness he's talking about to be brought here and be guaranteed - I mean to be guaranteed some protection for him to come and testify.  But at this point in time, sir, I don't know whether what is the actual position regarding that witness.  I think perhaps after they have consulted with the lawyer tomorrow, it's only then that the necessity of that witness can be guaranteed for the purposes of the proceedings.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes.  No, no, that is indeed I think the proper way of dealing with it.  I think the Commission staff should assist the family in getting in touch with the lawyer and all of those issues and whatever issues might arise you could perhaps discuss with the lawyer and if there is any specific steps that we should authorise, we will be amenable for you to approach us in chambers, if it's necessary.  So, I want to suggest that perhaps we should do that and get the family to the lawyer as quickly as we can.
	Under those circumstances, we are going to stand the matter of Mr Mvijane down until tomorrow provisionally at this stage until 9 o'clock.  We would more than likely not be able to proceed at that stage, but provisionally we're standing it down until 9 o'clock and we will deal with it tomorrow morning in the light of - is then stood down.
MACHINE SWITCHED OFF