Amnesty Hearings — Carltonville — 1998-08-11

CHAIRPERSON: What are the prospects, does he know that you are looking for him?

MR KOOPEDI: For now he doesn't know because we tried to send someone who has not come back but I am advised he works in this area, he lives in Kutsaong township and I have a number of people who have undertaken to try and find him and get him here tomorrow.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes.  Mr Steenkamp, is there anything you wish to say on that request?

MR STEENKAMP: I've got nothing to say on that request Mr Chairman.  I was not aware of the witness but from my side I will also assist wherever possible to get the witness here and make sure that we are ready by tomorrow morning.

CHAIRPERSON: Are you proposing to call any witnesses?

MR STEENKAMP: I'm not calling any witnesses, Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: Very well, we will stand this matter down at your request and can we make an earlier beginning than we did yesterday?

MR KOOPEDI: I suppose the Chair wanted to say earlier than we did today?

CHAIRPERSON: Yes.

MR KOOPEDI: I hope that the prison authorities are sitting in and are listening because our main delay was them getting the applicants here.  I will talk to my learned friend and we will try and emphasise the need to have the applicants come here earlier.

CHAIRPERSON: ...[inaudible] present here?

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, ...[intervention]

CHAIRPERSON: In charge of the prisoners?

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, the prison authorities actually are here.  I would request them to just come forward quickly.

CHAIRPERSON: Could I speak to the person who is in command?  Thank you.
What is your name please?

SERGEANT: ...[inaudible]

CHAIRPERSON: Sergeant?

SERGEANT: ...[inaudible]

CHAIRPERSON: You are from Potchefstroom?

SERGEANT: ...[inaudible]

CHAIRPERSON: Are the applicants going to be taken away again to Potchefstroom this evening?

SERGEANT: ...[inaudible]

CHAIRPERSON: It is the function of this Committee to commence its hearings not later than half past nine.  Yes.  And there are time when we even begin at 9 o'clock when it is possible to do so.
	Now I would like to know from you whether I can get an undertaking from you that we can make a beginning at half past nine tomorrow?

SERGEANT: ...[inaudible]

CHAIRPERSON: Can you do that?

SERGEANT: ...[inaudible]

CHAIRPERSON: I thank you very, very much, my Committee will be indebted to you if you can do that.  Thank you.
	This matter will stand adjourned until half past nine tomorrow morning.  May I enquire whether there is any likelihood of the matter of Boetie Selepe being heard tomorrow morning?

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, as far as I am concerned, Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, Mr Selepe is here and I spoke to him earlier this morning.  My learned friend I think will be in a better position to advise, but I think he still has to consult with Mr Selepe.  Mr Selepe is present as are the victims or the family of the deceased, today.

CHAIRPERSON: Have you had a chance of talking to Mr Selepe?

MR KOOPEDI: We just got introduced Honourable Chair, and that's the only thing we did.  I hope to consult with him as soon as we adjourn and if possible we will proceed with his application tomorrow.

CHAIRPERSON: I think you should make use of the time that is available to you just now whilst Mr Selepe is here.  Will Mr Selepe come forward please?  Is Mr Selepe here?

MR STEENKAMP: He is present Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Selepe, your matter will only be heard tomorrow morning, will you make sure that you are here in time tomorrow morning please, can you do that?

MR SELEPE: ...[inaudible]

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you very much.

ADV DE JAGER: Mr Steenkamp, as you know we should make recommendations if amnesty is granted or even if it's not about the names of victims ...[inaudible] case is concerned.

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, there's actually nine next of kin and family members present in the first matter.  I've already informed the proper authorities about the correct and full names of the victims that are here present.
	I've also spoken to a family representative of the families and all the names were given to me earlier this morning.  I will make sure that they are formally registered on the TRC's formal list of victims.

CHAIRPERSON: Well ladies and gentlemen, the Committee will now adjourn unit 09H30 tomorrow morning.

MR STEENKAMP: As you please Mr Chairman.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS UNTIL 12TH AUGUST 1998