Amnesty Hearings — Bloemfontein — 1998-08-20

MR MBANDAZAYO: Mr Chairman, I ...[indistinct] this applicant.  Thank you Mr Chairman.
	Mr Chairman, I'll call Moalusi Morrison.  As I indicated	I still have the same predicament.  It's the only application form I had regarding this incident for him.  I will call him just to confirm the affidavit of Abel Khotle.

CHAIRPERSON: ...[inaudible]

MR MBANDAZAYO: Mr Morrison.

CHAIRPERSON: Can you hear Mr Morrison?

MOALUSI MORRISON: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Your full names please?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Moalusi Morrison.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you Mr Chairman.
	Mr Morrison, do you confirm that you have read the affidavit of Abel Lerato Khotle, the first applicant in this matter?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Yes, I had.

MR MBANDAZAYO: And you also want it to be taken as part of your evidence that you are going to give here in this matter?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Yes, that is correct.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Mr Morrison, just one aspect before I leave it to the Committee to ask you questions.  Mr Khotle in his affidavit indicates that he jumped from the kombi somewhere near Thaba'Nchu and you drove away. Can you tell the Committee what happened after you drove away, when you were alone now?

MOALUSI MORRISON: When we arrived at Thaba'Nchu after comrade Lerato had alighted from the vehicle I approached a cul-de-sac.  I drove for about 15 metres away and I couldn't move on.  I jumped off and I left the car.  I couldn't go on beyond the cul-de-sac.

MR MBANDAZAYO: What eventually happened to you?

MOALUSI MORRISON: I took cover because the police surrounded the area and I couldn't escape.  The police from Bophuthatswana, South African Police surrounded the area.  I stayed there where I took cover until past eight and past nine and the owner of the yard went to report to the police and he told the police that I was in his place.

MR MBANDAZAYO: And you were arrested?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Yes.

MR MBANDAZAYO: And is it also true that you were charged with Abel Khotle in this matter?

MOALUSI MORRISON: When?

MR MBANDAZAYO: Let me put it this way.  Eventually after the case was withdrawn against you, after you have been charged, you were re-arrested and charged again for this matter and you stood trial together with Abel Khotle?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Yes, that's correct.

MR MBANDAZAYO: And that you were acquitted?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Yes, that is correct.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you Mr Chairman, that is all.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR MBANDAZAYO

CHAIRPERSON: I think there are one or two things which ought to be put on record, which has not gone on yet because he hasn't put up and affidavit.
	Mr Morrison, were you a member of the PAC and of APLA?

MOALUSI MORRISON: That is so, that is correct.

CHAIRPERSON: And were you in the logistics department and primarily responsible for transport?

MOALUSI MORRISON: That is correct.

CHAIRPERSON: And in this context were you involved in the attack on the Wesselsbron Supermarket and on the King William's Town Golf Club Attack?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Please repeat that.

CHAIRPERSON: In the logistics department, were you connected with and implicated in the Wesselsbron Supermarket and the attack on the King William's Town Golf Club, that you transported the weapons that were used in those two attacks, is that correct?

MOALUSI MORRISON: ...[inaudible]

CHAIRPERSON: So you were an ...[inaudible] in your logistic department?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Ja.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.

MR STEENKAMP: Thank you Mr Chairman.
	Mr Morrison, the victims in this matter are opposing your application and their contention is you started to shoot at the police after realising you were followed by the police and you tried to get away.  You were scared to be arrested and prosecuted for this case?  What is your comment on this?

MOALUSI MORRISON: It's not that I was running away from being arrested but what was important was I had information.

MR STEENKAMP: Thank you Mr Chairman.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR STEENKAMP

CHAIRPERSON: Did you wish to continue the struggle?

MOALUSI MORRISON: I had no chance to go on.  Those who were left behind were to go on.

CHAIRPERSON: But on this occasion you were not prepared to meekly give up, you wanted to continue the struggle that APLA was conducting against the government?

MOALUSI MORRISON: I was arrested.  When I was arrested, the people who were behind would continue the struggle.

CHAIRPERSON: But you didn't want to be arrested, that's why you drove your vehicle as you did?

MOALUSI MORRISON: Yes, that's correct.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.
WITNESS EXCUSED

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you Mr Chairman, that is the case of the applicants Mr Chairman.

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, if there is no inconvenience I would suggest if possible we could start with the other matter as well.

CHAIRPERSON: ...[inaudible] have argument on both matters tomorrow then.

MR STEENKAMP: As you please Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: I certainly don't think that this is a matter that warrants an adjournment for written argument or for obtaining the copy of the record.
	Very well, are we in a position to continue?  Are you in a position to start the next matter?

MR MBANDAZAYO: Yes, Mr Chairman, I'm in a position to start Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: That is the matter of the application by Lerato Abel Khotle and Mosiuwa Isaia Khotle.  It has been named: The Killing Of Botshabelo Police.  Is that the application which is now to be heard?

MR MBANDAZAYO: Yes, Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: And all the parties remain the same?

MR MBANDAZAYO: Yes, Mr Chairman.  Mr Chairman, at this stage I will call Abel Khotle.

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, may I be so rude as to interrupt for a moment.

CHAIRPERSON: Go ahead.

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, I would suggest that if possible, the victims are not here, they will be here early tomorrow morning, but in the meantime this applicant or maybe both the applicants can finish their testimonies, that I can maybe just for a moment speak to the victims if possible.  They can both testify, if it's possible.

CHAIRPERSON: So the victims have not been notified the matter may be heard today?  They've been given notice for tomorrow have they?

MR STEENKAMP: That's correct Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: In the light of that, I don't think it would be proper for us to start hearing evidence today which the victims may well consider of some importance to them.  Although they are not going to cross-examine themselves it may well be that they would like to hear what happened, what caused the suffering and the damage that they incurred.  I think rather let us commence when they are here tomorrow morning.

MR STEENKAMP: As you wish Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: It's been suggested to me that you might like to argue the present application.  Have you any argument?  I take it you are going to say that this was part of the struggle?

MR MBANDAZAYO: Definitely, Mr Chairman.

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, the only view of the victims is that there was no political motive and it was a ...[intervention]

CHAIRPERSON: ...[inaudible] to escape, is that not a political motive, if you're engaged in a struggle against the government of the time?

MR STEENKAMP: That may very well be so Mr Chairman, but that is not the view of the victims.

CHAIRPERSON: No, but you have nothing further you wish to say?

MR STEENKAMP: Nothing further, thank you Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: Sorry, one more question.  Somebody gave us an extract to read ...[inaudible]

MR MBANDAZAYO: ...[inaudible] Thank you Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: ...[inaudible] 09H30 tomorrow morning?

MR MBANDAZAYO: Yes, it will ...[intervention]

CHAIRPERSON: ...[inaudible] to give you an opportunity to see the victims when they arrive tomorrow and talk to them.

MR STEENKAMP: Thank you Mr Chairman.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS