Amnesty Hearings — Cape Town — 2000-10-04

MR WESSELS: Sorry Mr Chairman, may I just place on record in regard to the cross-examination of Mr Barnard, that having regard to time constraints and the magnitude of the research that will have to go into pursuing the line of cross-examination that I had in mind, and comparing that with the relevance of the evidence for the purposes of these proceedings, I've decided not to pursue that line and there won't be any further questions to Mr Barnard.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Mr Wessels.  I know it's very difficult, Mr Kahanovitz, but the witnesses tomorrow, should we start early ...(intervention)

GEORGE BIZOS: Mr Chairman, we have a witness.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes.

GEORGE BIZOS: There's been an appeal made to me that if we are prepared to sit late, we might complete him.  I'm completely in the Committee's and my learned friends' hands.  I will take approximately half an hour to lead him.  I don't know what cross-examination there is going to be, but I don't want the situation of our sitting late and having to come back tomorrow anyway.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes I think it might ...(intervention)

GEORGE BIZOS: ...(indistinct - no microphone) adjournment until tomorrow morning.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, because if we do start now there's also the question of people who work here who've got to get home, etcetera, and we haven't given any forewarning of it, it could be extremely inconvenient for them.  Should we start at half-past nine, is there any need to start earlier?

GEORGE BIZOS: No, half-past nine ...(inaudible)

CHAIRPERSON: Yes we'll adjourn until tomorrow at half-past nine in the morning.  And then also if I could just mention to the legal representatives, I think Ms Coleridge has mentioned to me that we're trying to get dates for argument in this matter and what is contemplated is that we have written Heads, but follow that up with about two days in which we can argue in which perhaps Members of the Panel can ask any questions they wish of anybody and also in which legal representatives might wish to stress certain points.  So I'd appreciate if by tomorrow there can be some arrangement made as to that, how long you need for preparation of the Heads, in other words, a month or so, whatever, and then a range of particular dates.

GEORGE BIZOS: I suggest with respect, that we follow the procedure that we have done in other cases, that the applicants applying for amnesty serve their ...(intervention)

CHAIRPERSON: Sorry, I omitted, I should have mentioned that, that ...(intervention)

GEORGE BIZOS: ...(inaudible) in order to respond to that and ...(no microphone).

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you Mr Bizos, I should have mentioned that.  But before we start tomorrow, if it can be decided upon, the timeframes, when the applicants should submit their Heads, when the representatives of the victims should file their Heads and also the day on which we can meet for the argument.

MR MARTINI: Chairperson, I agree with that.  I just would like to know, that will obviously be dependant when we can get the record of all the evidence that will ...

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, I believe that it shouldn't be too much of a delay, but if you can work in - I think we'll push them to get it out by next week.

MR MARTINI: ;   Chairperson, we have the first week's, it's just the last week.

CHAIRPERSON: I'm sure we'll be able to have it next week.  Work on the basis that we'll get it some time next week.  And then also, if there is a day of argument, where it will be most convenient to have it.  Yes, that's what I'm saying, I don't know if the victims want to be present at the argument or what, but whatever the situation, if you can just discuss all aspects relating to it.

MS COLERIDGE: We will, Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  We'll adjourn till half past nine tomorrow.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS