Human Rights Violation Hearings — East London — 1997-06-11

CHRISTIAN PETER MEYER: Yes Sir.
"I wish to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about my late brother, Leon Meyer's early life and events leading to his leaving the country, his life in exile, his assassination in exile and the consequences of his untimely death.  I am aware, Commissioners, of the fact that the Truth Commission Special Report of 16 June 1996 as well as my sister, Dawn Botha's, testimony on 13 August 1996 contains detailed reports of events leading up to and until the death of Leon Lionel Meyer.
 An earlier detailed account of my brother's activities states clearly that he was definitely regarded as an enemy to the apartheid regime.  My late parent's house was frequently visited and on some occasions searched by the East London Security Branch policemen.  They would then parade in an intimidating manner in Melbourne Road, Buffalo Flats where we resided, wearing camouflage uniforms and waving heavy calibre weapons.  
 A 15 year old pupil subjected to such inhuman treatment bears testimony to the motives of the previous regime.  As was mentioned in previous testimonies, Leon was regularly interrogated and detained without charge and/or trial by the East London Security Branch.  This continuous harassment including threats by the Security Police resulted in him and Cliffie Brown leaving the country and becoming an ANC exile in Lesotho on completion of his matric exam in 1978.
 With Leon temporarily out of reach of the Special Branch the harassment of my parents, who were both suffering from Cancer at the time, took on a new dimension.  Intimidation in the form of early hour visits at my parent's home seemed to be the order of the day.  This action proved extremely successful as it led to less frequent visits by visiting family members who were subjected to the same harassment.
 Despite all these negative and demoralising actions of the Special Branch, our parents continued to be mentally strong.  Through their example we remained focused and refused to submit to the Security Branch and harassment at Maseru Bridge border post on our numerous trips to Maseru.  We stood firm and fearlessly, withstood allegations such as collaborating with communists and terrorists from the security policemen stationed at the Maseru Bridge border post. We were often asked why we kept on crossing the Maseru Bridge border post when we knew exactly what treatment lies in store for us.
 Honourable Commissioners, I wish to mention the names of people who can vouch for what we went through during our visits to Lesotho.  Mrs Phyllis Naidoo, a truly comforting friend of my mother's who my mother knew personally and who often corresponded with my mother when she was in exile in Lesotho and London.  Mr Andile Ngcaba, present Director-General of Post and Telecommunications and a great family friend.  Major Winston Harper and his wife, Sandy, who were also warm and comforting to my family on our trips to Maseru.  
 Allow me to bring to your attention, honourable Commissioners, that on the day of my father's burial on 28 May 1983, a strong police presence outside our house was noticeable.  Some of which actually succeeded in invading our house and disorientating mourners.  An even larger contingent policemen were visible at the grave-site on the same day.  It was clear to me that our misery was intensifying.  They could well have thought that Leon would make his appearance at the funeral.  
 The 1982 raid into Lesotho by the South African Defence Force troops resulted in the death of a number of exiles as well as Lesotho citizens.  Leon miraculously escaped death during that raid.  
 Two years after this raid his daughter, Phoenix, was born.  She was named after the mythical bird, Phoenix, meaning or symbolising rising from the ashes or to rise from the ashes.  
 My mother passed away on July 1985.  Leon and his wife were soon to follow five months later during that fateful 20 December raid in Lesotho.  A friend and border at Leon's and Jackie's place, Mr Vivian Matthee from Cape Town, using the MK name of Trevor, was also killed earlier the same evening.  We were informed of the tragic death by the Principal of the high school where Jackie was a teacher.  
 Upon hearing the sad news I arranged to travel to Lesotho.  I was not harassed at all when I entered the RSA side border post at Maseru Bridge which was unlike what happened on our previous visits to Maseru.  When I arrived in Maseru I immediately identified myself to the police of Lesotho who accompanied me to the house where the massacre took place.  The house reeked of raw blood and human tissue was lying all over the place.  I was overwhelmed by the unpleasant smell and blood spattered walls.  
 The Maseru Police then took me to the lady who was awakened by Leon as he crashed through the patio door and fell to the ground, blood pouring from his wound in the lower left abdomen.  The police allowed me to question the lady who described to me how he smashed through the patio door with his boots calling out in an ailing voice, we have  been attacked by the Boers.  They killed my wife.  Please call an ambulance.  The pain is unbearable, give me some painkillers.  
 In Pretoria News 17 September 1979, 1996 Eugene de Kock disclosed the following.
"The instruction for the December 1985 raid in Lesotho was given by Brigadier Willem Skoon and approved by, the then Prime Minister, P W Botha as well as Police Commissioner Johan Coetzee and General Johan van der Merwe.  Whilst de Kock and Nortje attacked the first house, the other bandits proceeded to Leon and Jackie's house.  Jackie opened the door after she presumably recognised the voice of the police agent who led the squad to their house.  Jackie grabbed the gun barrel and was shot by him.  The two operatives then shot Leon and thereafter locked Phoenix and her Black child minder up in a room.".
 "This statement contradicts the lady from the lady in whose house Leon died.  After the raid the killers proceeded to Ladybrandt from where they informed the police about Phoenix.  De Kock also acknowledges that each member of the hit squad received a Police Star Award for bravery from General Basie Smit.
 Warrant Officer Willie Nortje, former member of the police hit squad based at Vlakplaas, testified the following under oath to Gauteng Attorney-General Dr Jan de Oliviera.".
"The raid was planned and co-ordinated by Colonel Eugene de Kock, Commander of Vlakplaas.  They were assisted by a police agent who stayed amongst ANC members in Lesotho.  Intelligence sources within ANC ranks identified the police agent as Macascow, a brother-in-law to a MK soldier by the name of Dick.".
 "This information was given to me by an ANC source in Lesotho at the time.  
 The other Vlakplaas hit squad members involved were Steve Bosch, Wessens Guide, Snor Vermeulen and an unknown number of askaris.  The following Ladybrandt security policemen were also involved.  Joe Koetzer, Anton Adamson and Doe Willemse.  Nortje claims that Koetzer, Adamson and the police agent were responsible for the murder of Leon and his wife.  Nortje further states that all policemen involved in the raid received the Police Star for bravery from General Johan van der Merwe.  De Kock claims that General Basie Smit allocated the awards.
 Given that high profile State security agents like de Kock are on record as having said that the then South African Government was directly involved in the Lesotho raid, the raid had been sanctioned by senior SAP officers, Generals and Government officials, an agent within the midst of the ANC in Lesotho played a major role in the whole scenario, agent known in certain intelligence circles as Macascow, I, Chris Meyer, brother of the late Leon Meyer, a brother-in-law to Jacqueline Quinn-Meyer and uncle to Phoenix and, lastly, a South African citizen committed to peace and reconciliation, humbly urge the Truth and Reconciliation Committee to establish why nobody ever mentions the name of the police agent, interview the woman who informed the police about the killing of Leon and his wife, contrary to what de Kock would let us believe, that he phoned Maseru police from Ladybrandt, supposedly informing them about the orphaned child, trace the link that de Kock and his bandits had with Lesotho and find out from him about the Lesotho raid and any other activity or involvement in these acts.  
 Lastly, I would like to point out to the honourable Commissioners, everybody present and South Africa as a whole that the requests I have made here are not driven by vengeance or a desire for revenge, as a point of departure, it should rather be seen as a quest for reconciliation which is truly possible with full disclosures.".
I would like the Commission to allow me to add something onto this testimony, if possible.