Amnesty Hearings — Klerksdorp — 1999-05-10

CHAIRPERSON: Good Morning everybody, I apologise for the late start this morning.  We had a logistical problem.  One of the interpreters came late so we could not start until the arrival of that person.  We have two matters to be heard in Klerksdorp this week, the first one that we are going to hear is the application of Mr N L Dlova and then that will be followed by the application of Messrs P J Rudolph and E N Terre'blanche.
CHAIRPERSON EXPLAINS TRANSLATION EQUIPMENT
   I would just like to introduce the Panel to you.  On my right is Adv Bosman, she is a Member of the Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  She is an Advocate and comes from the Cape.  On my right is Adv Ntsiki Sandi, also a Member of the Amnesty Committee, and he is from East London, and I am Selwyn Miller and I am a Judge of the High Court from the Eastern Cape as well.
	Mr Mbandazayo, could I ask you please to place yourself on the record in respect of the first matter.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you Chairperson and Honourable Members of the Committee.  My name is Lungelo Mbandazayo.  I am representing the applicant in this matter.  Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Mr Mbandazayo.  Mr Mbandazayo, are you ready to commence?

MS PATEL: Sorry.

CHAIRPERSON: Sorry, I have overlooked Ms Ramula Patel, sorry Ramula.

MS PATEL: That's quite alright Judge.  Ramula Patel, Leader of Evidence for the Amnesty Committee.  Before we proceed, I would like to place on record that unfortunately the docket in this matter is not available, that we have made efforts to try to trace certain of the victims, but have been unsuccessful.  Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  Mr Mbandazayo?

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you, Chairperson.  May the applicant, Mr Dlova be sworn in, Chairperson?

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Dlova, do you have any objection to taking the oath or do you wish to make an affirmation?

L N DLOVA: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Mbandazayo.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you, Chairperson. Mr Dlova, the affidavit which is in front of you is
also before the Honourable Committee, Members of the Committee, do you confirm that this affidavit was made by yourselves and do you abide by its contents?

L N DLOVA: Yes, that is correct.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Chairperson, I will proceed and read the affidavit and after that I will go through with the applicant for explanation of certain issues before he is cross-examined.
The affidavit reads thus:
"I, the undersigned, Luinkuleka(?) Dlova, do hereby make an oath and state that I am the applicant in the Lichtenburg operation.  The facts to which I depose are true and correct and within my personal knowledge, unless the content indicates otherwise.
		I was born in Cape Town at Kwalanga Township on the 28th day of November 1962 and grew up in the Western Cape.  I did my primary education at Thembanilo Primary and did my Junior Secondary at  Moshes Junior Secondary.  I did standard 8 and 9 at Langa High School and standard 9 at Matanzima High School at Xala in the former Transkei.  I left school in standard nine, due to financial problems as I was born of a single parent.
		I joined PAC in 1980 through Azanyo.  I was then a member of Langa Youth Movement under the guidance of Rev Moletsane.  I left the country in April 1986 to Zimbabwe via Botswana where I joined Apla.  I left Zimbabwe in June 1986 for Libya and Yugoslavia where I did my military training.  In Libya I was trained in infantry, explosive and guerrilla warfare tactics.
		In Yugoslavia I did an intermediate course on intelligence and security.  We were 26 cadres of APLA who underwent this training.  I only remember, amongst those I trained with, Tsepho Mtwetu, Sipho Mhlango and Medisi Ketelo.  I came back from Yugoslavia to Zimbabwe in February 1988.  In Zimbabwe I became involved with PAC/APLA security under the command of the late comrade Mozi Mdluli, until I was deployed inside the country in July 1988.   
		As APLA operative, my general instructions from APLA High Command was to prosecute the armed struggle with all means against the then racist minority regime which was undemocratic and oppressive.
		The said armed struggle was in essence, a gorilla warfare, during which we as APLA cadres  had to seek and attack the bastions and minions of the then aforesaid regime.  The ultimate objective of the PAC and APLA was not only to topple the then racist minority regime, but to eventually return the land to the majority of the African people.
		The bastions and minions of the then erstwhile regime were in terms of APLA prospective, the members of the South African Defence Force, the members of the South African Police and reservists in general, the farmers, as they belonged to the commando structures over and above the fact that they occupied the farms from which we had to drive them away so as to widen our territorial operational base, which was aimed at eventually consolidating the liberated and repossessed land, the white homes which were garrisons of apartheid.
		My general instruction was to seek and identify and attack the enemy who was seen in the context of the above bastions and minions of the regime and also to train other cadres and command them in whatever operation that is being embarked upon.
		In consequence of, and in pursuit of the above stated objectives, during or about July 1988 I was called by the late comrade Mozi Mdluli, who told me that I was to be deployed inside the country and further briefing will be given to me in Bulawayo by the late comrade Mato Damiole.  I travelled by train to Bulawayo and I was met by Comrade Mandla at the station, who took me to a safe house.  In this house, I met the late Comrade Mato Damiole,  Ike, Castro and Bonge Mabuto.  Thereafter, Comrades Sipho Mhlango, Medisi Ketelo and Tsepho Mtwetu arrived.   
		The late Comrade Mato Damiole briefed us that we were to be deployed inside the country to seek, identify and attack the enemy who was seen in the context of the above bastions and minions of the regime.  That was the order that was given to us by the late Comrade Mato Damiole.  Comrade Sipho Mhlango was appointed the commander of the unit and I was appointed the Political Commissar of the unit.
		We were given the following arms and ammunition:  1 scorpion, 4 submachine guns, 6 grenades each, that is 2 Chinese grenades each, 2 F1 grenades each, 2 defensive grenades each, made in Yugoslavia, dynamite, TNT, detonating cords, electric capsules, 6 magazines each and extra boxes of magazines ..."
...(intervention)

CHAIRPERSON: Sorry, before you proceed Mr Mbandazayo, perhaps if Mr Dlova could tell us what a scorpion is.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you Chairperson.

L N DLOVA: The scorpion is a sub-machine pistol.  You can use it as a submachine and you can use it as a pistol with a range of 75 to 150 meters.  It is larger than a pistol, it's from 75 to 150 meters.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.