Special Hearings — Mandela United Football Club Hearings — 1998-01-28

DANIEL FRANCOIS MALAN BOSMAN: I, the undersigned Daniel Francois Malan Bosman, declares under oath as follows:  I am a Lieutenant Colonel and former member of the South African Police.  At present I am a businessman of Bromval Way 19, Hillican Park, Randfontein.   The contents of this statement falls within my personal knowledge, unless otherwise stated and is to the best of my knowledge true and correct.
 During the period 12 December 1983 to 29 February 1996 I was associated with the Security Branch Soweto.  I was associated with the information gathering component and had the rank of Lieutenant when I arrived there and that of Lieutenant Colonel at the stage that I left.  I had been advised that the rest of my career is not relevant in the giving of this evidence.
 Initially I started with the Investigating Unit, but after the need arose later I joined the information gathering component and was tasked with the covert gathering of information with assistance of among others, the tapping of telephone conversations.
 I deal accordingly with the matters mentioned in my subpoena.
 The questioning and following death of Sizwe Sithole.  Apart that this person's name was mentioned in telephone conversations from time to time, I had no knowledge of this person nor do I have any knowledge of his interrogation and following death.
 The use and handling of informers, sources associated with the Mandela Football Club and Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.  The handling of informers, sources was handled by people who were tasked with that.  I was never one of these persons and did not work with any source or informer at any stage.
 Although I was aware of the fact that the Security Branch depended greatly on the information provided by informants or sources and a great deal of trouble was taken to recruit the informers, I am not aware of any specific informer which was directly associated with the Mandela Football Club and Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
 I am aware of the fact that attempts were made to establish such sources, later I heard that there was one such source which appeared which did provide information to the Security Branch Soweto for a short period.
 The abduction, assault and murder of Stompie Seipei in 1988 and information in regard with that.  The only involvement that I had in this matter was that due to my position, I had insight into the telephone conversation which took place in the house of Mrs Madikizela-Mandela.
 From a variety of these discussions it seemed that there were problems regarding certain young people and that certain people were taken away from the Methodist Church and taken to the house of Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
 I cannot recall the name Stompie Seipei specifically and cannot remember if the name was specifically mentioned before the raid which was done by the Police at the house of Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
 Furthermore I can give no details regarding the abduction, assault and murder of Stompie Seipei.
 The relationship between the Security Branch, Murder and Robbery, STRATCOM divisions and other units in the South African Police, with regard to matters affecting Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and the Mandela United Football Club.
 There was continual cooperation between the Security Branch and other divisions and units of the South African Police.  As far as I know Soweto Branch of STRATCOM never existed.
 I am aware of the fact that STRATCOM actions were done by the Security Branch Soweto on the orders of the Security Head Office, Pretoria.  At no stage did I personally have any direct contact with a person of STRATCOM Head Office, regarding information about the Mandela Football Club or Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
 Nor do I have any knowledge that there was any specific action between the various units regarding Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela or the Mandela United Football Club.
 After the Stompie Seipei raid my unit was approached by other units and requested to provide them with any information we had regarding the matter.  I do not know what information was provided as cooperation in this regard took place on the level of the Commanding officers.
 The use of intelligence material and the relationship with intelligence agencies regarding the matters of Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and the Mandela United Football Club.
 The distribution of information to intelligence agencies only took place on top levels, but I am aware of the fact that there was interaction between the Security Branch and National Intelligence.
 As far as my knowledge, no information was exchanged with any other agencies.  We also received information from time to time from other intelligence agencies, but as far as I can remember, it had never any direct regard to Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela or the Mandela United Football Club.
 Interrogation and death of Themba Johannes Mabotha.  I have no knowledge of the interrogation and death of Themba Johannes Mabotha.
 Information regarding the observations including telephone tapping, bugging etc, regarding the matters regarding to Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and the Mandela United Football Club.
 During the period that I was associated with the Security Branch Soweto, tapping was done on a large scale of Mrs Madikizela-Mandela's telephone conversations.  The contents of the tapes on which these discussions were taped, was routinely transcribed and given to the investigating unit or the administrative component where decisions were then made as to action to be taken.
 The use of bugs did not take place on a large scale, but did take place.  I am of the opinion that at a stage a bug was placed in the house of Mrs Madikizela-Mandela.
 This apparatus was linked to her telephone line so that conversations in her house, could be relayed to tape recorders which taped her discussions.  Information which was achieved or obtained in this way is dealt with on the same way as ordinary tapping, it was transcribed and handed over to the investigating unit or top management or both.
 There was never talk of any 24 hour observation of Mrs Mandela's house or the activities of the Mandela Football Club.  From time to time her house and business was placed under observation, especially during the time that she was restricted.
 We also drove past her house often and often her house was observed.  Any information which was gained, was also passed through to the investigating unit and the administrative component.
 The killing of Sergeant Pretorius and two MK members, Maleleke and Mbenenge in 1988.  I knew Sergeant Fanie Pretorius very well.  He was an extremely hard worker and well loved by his colleagues.  The day that he died, I knew about the operation, but was not part of it.
 I did hear what happened, later.  As a result I can give no personal information regarding the death of Sergeant Pretorius or the two MK members Maleleke and Mbenenge.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Pigou?

MR PIGOU: Thank you Mr Chairman.  Mr Bosman, could you tell us exactly when you moved from the Investigation Unit into the job of working on telephone surveillance in the Soweto Security Branch?

DANIEL FRANCOIS MALAN BOSMAN: I beg your pardon?

MR PIGOU: Could you tell us exactly when you moved from the Investigation Unit into the intelligence information gathering department of the Security Branch in Soweto?

DANIEL FRANCOIS MALAN BOSMAN: Mr Chairman, that was in 1985 that I was transferred from the Investigating Unit to the Intelligence Unit.

MR PIGOU: Mrs Mandela returned from Brandfort during the course, towards the end of 1985.  When you moved to the information gathering department, was there already a tap on her telephone, was she back in Soweto or was she still in Brandfort at that stage?

DANIEL FRANCOIS MALAN BOSMAN: When I reached the Unit, we had only just started with the tapping of her telephone conversations.