Amnesty Hearings — Durban — 1996-08-14

MR BRINK: This is the application of Hendrik Jacobus Steyn.  I appear as evidence leader.  My learned friend Mr Olaf d'Oliviera appears for the applicant.
	Before commences I may say that information received by me from the Investigative Unit in regard to the tracing  of the next of kin has been in progress but apparently  as of now the Investigative Unit have not been successful in tracing next of kin which I think is hardly surprising having regard to the activities and the careers of the two deceased.  So I don't know whether there is anyone present here who might be related to the deceased.  If there is anyone in the audience who is related in any way to the deceased or have an interest in the deceased's death  would they please raise their hand.

CHAIRPERSON: None.  Very well it's placed on record that attempts have been made to contact the next-of-kin of the deceased in this matter and that it seems that they haven't attended.  Mr d'Oliviera.

MR D'OLIVIERA: Thank you Mr Chairman.  I call the applicant Mr H J Steyn.  Mr Chairman the applicant will be giving his evidence in Afrikaans.

HENRY JACOBUS STEYN: (sworn states)

MR D'OLIVIERA: Thank you Mr Chairperson.  Mr Steyn you are the applicant in this matter, is that  correct?

HENRY JACOBUS STEYN: That is correct Chairperson.

MR D'OLIVIERA: This is a long and complicated incident and you took down certain notes which you have in front of you, is that correct?

HENRY JACOBUS STEYN: Yes.

MR D'OLIVIERA: Will you please continue and put the evidence before the Committee.

HENRY JACOBUS STEYN: At the time of the incident I was a detective warrant officer in the South African Police and at that stage stationed at Murder and Robbery, Empangeni.  In March 1977 I joined the Police and completed my basic training in 1981.  Certain of my tasks as a police officer, as set out in the Police Act, were inter alia the following - investigation of crimes, maintenance of law and order, combating of terrorism and preservation of internal security and peace.	During my police career I also underwent the following courses, riot control and counter-insurgency training.
	The ANC/PAC/UDF and other liberal organisations were at that stage banned and were regarded by the government of the day as terrorists and the government wanted to suppress these organisations.  Part of my task as a policeman was to combat onslaughts by the ANC and other banned organisations.
	The one deceased relevant in this application was a well-known ANC figure and the leader of a gang, which according to information consisted of a group of 50 people.  This gang had links with a large number of acts of terrorism and it included the following crimes, 21 charges of murder, 35 charges of attempted murder, arson, public violence, armed robbery, housebreaking and theft.  All these crimes were aimed and directed at members of the IFP, members of the Security Police and White people.
	The area in which all these incidents took place was also declared as an unrest area.  Since members of the ANC and other liberal organisation were regarded as terrorists and were also therefore our enemies ...(intervention)

ADV DE JAGER: Mr Steyn just a minute, is this a prepared document for which he is now reading his evidence?

MR D'OLIVIERA: He has written out his evidence.

ADV DE JAGER: Could you please furnish us with copies of the document - (the speaker's microphone is off)

MR D'OLIVIERA: Of course Chairperson that can be arranged.  Please continue.