Amnesty Hearings — Pretoria — UNKNOWN

CHAIRPERSON: Good morning everybody, welcome to the hearing.  Mr Steenkamp, is everybody here now?

MR STEENKAMP: Yes Mr Chairman, I can confirm everybody is here and present.

CHAIRPERSON: I wonder if the legal representatives could please place themselves on record?

MR PRINSLOO: Chairperson, Honourable Members of the Committee, I am J J S Prinsloo for the first applicant, Mr James Wheeler.

MR DE KONING: I am L.V. De Koning for the second applicant, Mr Chairperson.

MR PRETORIUS: Mr Chairperson, Members of the Committee, I am Neil Pretorius, I'm the attorney for the second applicant.

MR BOTHA: Mr Chairman, I am Wentzel Botha the attorney on behalf of the victims, thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Could I take the opportunity of introducing the panel.  On my right is Advocate Francis Bosman, my left is Advocate Leah Gcabashe, on my far left is Mr Jake Moloi and I'm Selwyn Miller and the evidence leader is Advocate Andre Steenkamp.  Are there any preliminaries or can we start straight off with the hearing?

MR STEENKAMP: Mr Chairman, we can start immediately.

MR PRINSLOO: Chairperson, Honourable Members of the Committee, as I have already indicated I am representing Mr James Wheeler who is the first applicant in this Application for Amnesty.  We are as the legal team in possession of the pieces which have been submitted to the Committee today and I would like to commence by asking your leave for regard to the application of Mr Wheeler to lead the evidence.  Firstly I would like to request for leave to lead the evidence of this applicant myself.  At this point I would like to indicate to you that an affidavit has been prepared on behalf of the applicant and when I say leading evidence, I would ask for leave to distribute copies of the affidavit after it has been confirmed if it would meet with your approval?

CHAIRPERSON: Certainly, Advocate Prinsloo.

MR PRINSLOO: Thank you Chairperson.  I ask then for leave to serve the affidavits to you.

CHAIRPERSON: We will receive this affidavit as EXHIBIT A.

MR PRINSLOO: Thank you Chairperson.
	Mr Wheeler is it correct that you are one of the applicants in this case?

JAMES WHEELER: Yes that is correct.

CHAIRPERSON: I think if he can be sworn in, I'll just ask Advocate Bosman to do it?

JAMES WHEELER: (sworn states)

MR PRINSLOO: Mr Wheeler you are one of two applicants in this Application for Amnesty is that correct?

JAMES WHEELER: Yes that is correct.

MR PRINSLOO: And you were born on 18th February 1967 and you are currently in the Krugersdorp prison.

JAMES WHEELER: That is correct.

MR PRINSLOO: I will now show a document to you.  You see the document which I am showing to you, do you recognise it?

JAMES WHEELER: Yes.

MR PRINSLOO: What is it?

JAMES WHEELER: It is the affidavit which I compiled.

MR PRINSLOO: Do you confirm that the content of this affidavit is true and correct?

JAMES WHEELER: Yes.

MR PRINSLOO: Chairperson I ask for the leave that this statement be read into the record by the applicant.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes certainly he can proceed.

MR PRINSLOO: Will you read in the statement for us?

JAMES WHEELER: "I am the applicant in this Application for Amnesty in terms of the Truth and Reconciliation Act of 1995.  The facts contained in this statement are within my own personal knowledge and unless otherwise mentioned or....[intervention]