Amnesty Hearings — Pretoria — 1996-07-01

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: I was already disabled at that stage. I had stood up after three and a half years in a wheelchair and I couldn't personally participate in any physical operation. So the understanding was that these four fit young men would form the nucleus of a cell which would then control the activities. I had enough trust in the leadership of Jean du Plessis and although we didn't make a specific appointment for a particular time, the understanding was that in due course we would continue.  In the longer term I would take charge of the propaganda of a more political wing of such a movement because that was my strong point.

UNKNOWN: Mr Alberts, if you would have to venture an opinion regarding the distinction between Barend Strydom's Wit Wolwe (White Wolves), just an obscure little organisation, and this organisation which Jean du Plessis wanted to bring, what would you say politically was the more justifiable one, the one that complied more with the true desires of the conservative Afrikaner, the right-wing Afrikaner?

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: To the extent to which I knew Barend Strydom and still do know him, he was as it happened, involved in me in a project in which I devised a way of approaching the Voortrekker Monument one night in order to propagate the ideal of a volkstaat.  I would say he was also a very emotional and spirited person. I think it is still my view that there I had to deal with another quality. There was an integrity of absolute dedication and commitment to aspire to an ideal and to realise that ideal of political independence for Whites. I think that was above suspicion entirely.

UNKNOWN: Who is this?

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: I am talking of Jean Pierre du Plessis.

UNKNOWN: Thank you, Mr Chairperson, I don't have any further questions.  Could I then just ask you. You were involved for many years in right-wing politics, it seems to me over a period of about 30 or 40 years.  If I understand your story correctly - you must just correct me.

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: Yes, well, I was actively involved for the past 20 years in right-wing politics.

UNKNOWN: So you saw it develop, the period of 1990/91, could you elaborate on that period, did that differ in any way from the previous 20 years in right-wing politics?

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: You know, to me there was a revitalisation since the Eighties. I took a personal leadership role in the spreading of propaganda and the dissemination of speeches by Connie Mulder, et cetera, and I was aware of a new spirit in the movement and as a result of my cultural involvement in theatre and so on.  I became aware that there was a new life for Afrikanerdom and it seemed to me that this increased during the Eighties, the disruption of meetings, et cetera.  This inspired people and made them aware of a culture of resistance, if I could call it that, but it seemed to me that by 1990 and especially after the discrediting of Eugene Terre'Blanche, and the division of the leadership after Groenewald left, the leadership, and Prof Altemaar Swart, et cetera, it seemed to me there was a period of stagnation. I then tried to unify the right-wing movement, but I wasn't successful.  As soon as I saw any signs of success then there was new discord.  So I regarded it as essential that something had to happen during 1990/91.
	I felt that it was urgent because it felt to me as if the whole political situation was moving towards a new phase, wherein the National Party was taking a stand quite openly regarding the unbanning of the ANC, et cetera, and we saw that period as a large-scale threat.

UNKNOWN: Would you say that right-wing political doctrines have changed since 1991, until today?

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: That is a very broad question, and it is very difficult for me to react to that.  You are asking about right-wing political thought.

UNKNOWN: Well, let me rephrase it. Do you think there is still a necessity for an organisation such as the NSP today?

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: I would be very hesitant to make a statement on that. You know, I have undergone a complete change of thought.  So I would say that today I would not be able to reconcile myself with the policy of violence. So it is a totally subjective opinion, I can't tell you. I know there are people out there who are probably as fanatical as they were in 1990, but personally I have undergone a political transformation.  So I am not in favour of violence any more and I rather rely on negotiation for change, but that is my personal view. In fact, I started being of this view during the 1994 election and I tried to convey this message to right-wing groups.

UNKNOWN: Thank you very much.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY ADV RHOODE

UNKNOWN: Thank you, Mr Chairperson, we have no further questions.
NO QUESTIONS BY ADV PRINSLOO

HASSAN MALL: Adv Mpshe?

UNKNOWN: Thank you, Mr Chairperson. Mr Alberts, could you please comment on your views regarding the current government?

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: That is an interesting question, and it is also a very broad question.  But I would like to say firstly, that I have a great respect for the current President.  He was in prison for 27 years as a result of his political convictions, and I cannot detect any signs of vengeance or hatred in his conduct.  He seems to be walking the road of reconciliation. I think the present Government has a very difficult task at hand.  It took over a very badly managed enterprise and they are facing a huge challenge to make a success of this country.  At this stage I am convinced of the Government's bona fides to make a success and for that reason I can also associate myself with the politics of reconciliation.  Some of my colleagues have in fact served on the Volkstaat Council and are currently still busy with work for the Council, so yes, I think the Government can be said to be bona fide in trying to allay the right-wing fears and also to listen to the desires and aspirations of certain Afrikaner elements in respect of the Afrikaner Volkstaat idea.  They haven't simply closed the door in their faces as far as that is concerned.

UNKNOWN: Thank you, Chairperson.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY ADV MPSHE

HASSAN MALL: Are you still actively involved in analysing political situations and making comments thereon publicly?

ANDRIES HENDRIK ALBERTS: No, Sir, this is the exception, Mr Chairman.
WITNESS EXCUSED
 
MR RHOODE CALLS

JEANETTE THERON: (Duly sworn, states).

UNKNOWN: Mrs Theron, would you identify yourself, please, your full names, your training and your current position.

JEANETTE THERON: My name is Jeanette Theron. I am a social worker for the Department of Correctional Services.  In 1976 I graduated with BA (Hons) and for the past 19 years I have worked as a social worker.

UNKNOWN: In whose service are you currently employed?

JEANETTE THERON: For the Department of Correctional Services.

UNKNOWN: At which prison?

JEANETTE THERON: Pretoria Central.

UNKNOWN: Have you got to know the two applicants in your time at the prison?

JEANETTE THERON: Yes, I met them in 1974.

UNKNOWN: 1994?

JEANETTE THERON: No, 1974.

UNKNOWN: In 1994, they went to prison.

UNKNOWN: I mean in 1994.

UNKNOWN: Mrs Theron, please tell us about them, what are your views regarding the two applicants?