Amnesty Hearings — Ermelo — 1998-09-14

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: I was then employed as a policeman working as Esikhawini.  In Esikhawini there was a certain policeman by the name of Gin Mkhize.  One day he came to my house where I was staying and we had some discussions, and we also discussed politics.  And he also introduced himself to me as to who he was, and also his involvement in the IFP as an organisation.  He also asked me if I know about the Israelites.  I said, "Yes, I know about the Israelites, even if I don't have more information about them".  The Israelites were known as a gang, the two hundred (200) Gang which was recruited by the IFP to be trained in Israel, to come back and fight against the ANC within the country in South Africa.  The reason why they were called the Israelites, it was because they never knew where they were taken to.  They thought they were taken to Israel, by they were taken to Caprivi where they were trained.  They were known by all the KwaZulu Police members and that also they were trained to fight against the ANC.  He introduced himself to me as one of those people, and he also told me that there is a difficult situation in the place, in that the IFP people are being killed within the community by the ANC members.  He also said that he has recognised me with Siphiwe Mvuyane, the person I've just explained now.  He trusts me and he believes that I'm also a member of the IFP, and anything that he's going to say to me will be kept secret, and we agreed on that.  And he said that he was sent to recruit me to join the Caprivi group so that we can fight and attack the ANC.  I said to him, "I understand what you're saying, but I can't just easily join your group without having had any contact with the people who sent you to recruit me to be sure that I won't find myself in trouble as times goes on".  And then he took me at that time to one lady, a mother known as Mrs Mbuyase.  This Mrs Mbuyase was a member of the Central Committee of the IFP.  This Central Committee acted as an Executive Committee of the IFP at the time and she was also a leader of the Women's Brigade for the IFP.  I was introduced to this mother by Gin Mkhize and I introduced myself to her and she also introduced herself as Mrs Mbuyase to me, and she told me that I should relax because Gin Mkhize are their members and they were sent by her and the other members from Ulundi, and therefore she is happy to see someone committed like me to come and help and join them to fight against the ANC.  She said I mustn't worry because she's going to arrange a meeting with the senior leaders of the IFP at Ulundi so that we can discuss the matter.  We agreed on that, on that particular day.

MR WILLS: Yes, sorry.  Then you met with certain people in Ulundi, is that correct?  Those were Captain Langeni, M Z Khumalo, Daluxolo Luthuli, who is one of the co-applicants in these proceedings?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: That's correct.

MR WILLS: And can you just briefly say what was discussed at that meeting?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: As I've stated, I was welcome and they were happy that I have joined their wing.  They explained to me that they have a problem as members of the IFP and also the Zulu nation as a whole, in that the communists which were the ANC, together with their aligned movements, the SACP, are busy killing members of the IFP, together with the IFP people.  They said that they have thought it necessary to establish a wing which will fight against the communists to protect the country so that it shouldn't become like other countries, for example, Mozambique or Angola, which were also led by communists where people are starving.  They told me that Ntwana, the Chief Minister, is very happy that there are people like us who are going to help the IFP in fighting against the communists, which were ANC members.  And they also explained how we are going to work.  They said that in the local leadership within the Esikhawini region and the leadership from Ulundi are going to work with this group, together with the BSI.  BSI, it's a group which is affiliated to the KwaZulu Police.  We're going to work together in attacking some particular people from the ANC leadership of which we're going to be told who was supposed to be killed.

MR WILLS: Yes.  And is it not also so that you were told then that you'd be protected from prosecution because you were fighting for the Zulu nation?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, we were told that we should be free, because we won't find ourselves in trouble, because we'll be working for the Government.  The Government which was in charge at the time and we were also helping the community together with the Zulu nation.

MR WILLS: Yes.  Now, one of the persons you've mentioned, Daluxolo Luthuli, the co-applicant, he was basically the military commander of a number of hit squads that were operating throughout KwaZulu-Natal and in other areas, is that right?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, that's correct.  He was the man in charge of all the hit squads all over the country in South Africa.

MR WILLS: And in addition to that, just for the benefit of the public, he was also the individual who ordered Mr Hlongwane to come to Ermelo?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, that's correct.

MR WILLS: Now, after this meeting, were you satisfied that it would be proper for you to join this hit squad?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, after the meeting I was given the assurance that I'll be working for the Government and also the IFP as an organisation.

MR WILLS: You then started operating in the Northern Natal area, in the area around Esikhawini, Richards Bay, Empangeni, is that correct?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, that's correct.

MR WILLS: But sorry, prior to your operations, you were trained in the use of certain explosives and firearms by Mkhize?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, that's correct.

MR WILLS: And briefly, you were supplied with both logistical support and firearms and ammunition by high ranking persons in Ulundi?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, that's correct.

MR WILLS: And the local IFP leadership in Esikhawini also assisted greatly with things, for example, vehicles to do your work and also ammunition?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, that's correct.

MR WILLS: And as you operated in Esikhawini, you have applied for amnesty in respect of a number of murders of prominent ANC and COSATU people, is that right?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: Yes, that's correct.

MR WILLS: Now, you've given evidence in respect of all of those other incidents, detailed evidence.  I just want you to concentrate on the purpose for which you've been brought to this community, and that is the murder of Mr Theledi which commences, Mr Chairperson, on page forty two (42) of Volume one (1).  Can you turn to that incident.  It starts at paragraph ninety four (94) of your affidavit, and can you just tell the Committee how it came about that you murdered this individual?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: I was working at Esikhawini Police Station.  I got a telephone call that I'm wanted at Mrs Mbuyase.  I went there.  When I arrived, I found Mrs Mbuyase, Siphiwe Mvuyane and Israel Hlongwane.  They explained that there is an emergency situation at Nelspruit and there is someone in Nelspruit who is working with the ANC branch in Ermelo.  This is a person supplying them with arms coming from Mozambique through the Oshoek border gate, and he was the one who used to carry the arms to the branch in Ermelo, which was an ANC Branch, so that the ANC branch can fight against the IFP in Ermelo.  It was explained that I shall, in the company of Siphiwe and Israel Hlongwane, go to Nelspruit to kill Mr Theledi.

MR WILLS: Just before you continue, Mr Mbambo.  This Siphiwe Mvuyane you refer to, he is the same individual who was influential in your earlier career and was one of the persons who influenced you to join the KwaZulu Police?

ROMEO MBUSO MBAMBO: That's correct.