Amnesty Hearings — Johannesburg — 1998-11-02

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you, Mr Chairperson.  The affidavit reads as follows
"I, the undersigned, Tapelo Patrick Maseko, do hereby make an oath and say that the facts to which I depose are true and correct and within my personal knowledge, unless the context states otherwise.
	I was born on the 3rd day of May 1956 in Westonaria.  I started school at Nibanong Gold Mine and went to Mapute Community School in Bekkersdal until standard six.
	I then worked at Kloof Gold Mine until I left the country in 1986.  I joined the PAC through Azanyo in 1983.  
	On the 18th day of June 1986 I left the country to Botswana where I stayed until December 1986.  I left Botswana for Tanzania where I stayed for a week before moving to Guinea Canary for military training.  I did infantry training for three months and returned to Morogoro Camp at Iringa, Tanzania.  I stayed there for more than three years undergoing intensive political and ideological remoulding.  
	I was thereafter deployed inside the country at the end of December 1989.
	When I returned to the country through Harare, we were a unit of four called "Makana Detachment", comprising of myself, Lumumba, Telo and Small Baby.  We met our contacts, Junior and Siki in Bulawayo, who arranged for us to enter the country.
	The two contacts arranged for us to meet a person at Mmbatho Sun.  It was arranged that we should enter the country in pairs.  Myself and Telo went first.  We met our contact at the pre-arranged place and time.  He took us to a taxi rank and we boarded a taxi to Johannesburg.
	In Johannesburg we met our contact, Mr Tepani Moswade. He took us to a safe place in Orlando West, Pefini, where we stayed until the other two comrades we left at Bulawayo arrived with arms. 
	I was deployed inside the country with specific instructions to advance the struggle for the liberation of the African people in all fronts.  We were told that the PAC and APLA have no funds and therefore the cadres should be self reliant.  We were told that the targets will be chosen by us.
	This unit therefore was called "Repossession Unit".  The was the first unit to be sent in the country for this specific purpose, although we were to conduct other operations.
	I was involved in 28 other operations.  I'm still waiting for the outcome of the application in respect of 11 others.
	The affidavit of comrade Bhani has been read to me. I confirm it insofar as it relates to me.  I confirm that I gave an order for the operation at Randfontein vegetable shop.  I further confirm that at the time of the operation I was a member of APLA High Command and head of APLA Repossession Unit, codenamed "Beauty Salon".  
	The unit was duly established by APLA High Command, with the full knowledge and unequivocal approval of the PAC political leadership.  The task of the unit was to repossess from the enemy items such as weapons, money, jewellery and vehicles and other necessities which were necessary for the APLA operations.
	I was reporting directly to the Director of Operations, who was reporting directly to the Defence Secretary.  
	At no stage did I use my position to enrich myself or my poverty stricken family.  I am aware that at the time of this operation it was being rumoured that PAC/APLA has suspended the armed struggle.  I want to make it clear that the members of APLA who represented APLA members at the PAC conference in Umtata, reported that the PAC leadership has been given a mandate to suspend the armed struggle when the time is opportune.  And before doing that they will discuss this matter with the APLA High Command and commanders on the ground and thereafter announce the suspension of armed struggle.  This never happened until at the time of this operation.
	We as commander of APLA thought that PAC political leadership decided to take a tactical position to announce the suspension of the armed struggle in the manner they did, as the did, in the manners they did not comply with the resolution of the PAC comrades.
	We thought that they were aware that the right-wingers were arming themselves with the purpose of disrupting the election, hence they did not bide by the decision of the congress.  The PAC President then, is on record saying that the PAC will never abandon the bullet until the ballot is secured.  
	It is in that spirit that I ordered the operation because the ballot was not yet secured and PAC has not yet suspended the armed struggle according to the congress resolutions.
	At no stage did the comrades use their position to enrich themselves or their poverty stricken families.  I hope this will go a long way in decriminalising the bravest, selfless and dedicated heroes of our anti-colonial struggle.
	The money was handed to myself after the operation and I also handed it over to the Director of Operations.  I therefore humbly request that their application for amnesty be granted as they did not act for personal gain, nor out of malice, ill will or spite against the victims, they acted on my orders.
	Signed by the applicant."
Thank you, Mr Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Mr Mbandazayo.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Mr Chairperson, in view of the fact that I have read the affidavit on behalf of Mr Maseko, I will say that's his evidence, I have nothing more.  I will leave it to the Committee and the Leader of Evidence to ask him questions on his affidavit.

CHAIRPERSON: Just one thing, Mr Maseko.  Mr Bhani has referred you to as Ntjebe, do you confirm that you are also known as Ntjebe?

TAPELO MASEKO: Yes, that's true.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Mpshe, do you have any questions to ask the witness?

MOKOTEDI MPSHE: I have, Mr Chairman.
	Mr Maseko, have a look at your affidavit, paragraph 9.  That is where you state that you were involved in 28 operations, do you see that?

TAPELO MASEKO: Yes, I do.

MOKOTEDI MPSHE: How many of these operations were carried out during the year 1994?

TAPELO MASEKO: Do you mean in 1994, that was after the elections, I don't remember us carrying out any operations.

CHAIRPERSON: I think what he is asking you is, during 1994, we know that this operation was in 1994, how many of those operations, if any, were carried out in 1994, particularly prior to the elections, do you know?  That is what I think the question is.

TAPELO MASEKO: I don't remember them.

MOKOTEDI MPSHE: Would you say this is the only operation carried out in 1994, just prior to the elections?

TAPELO MASEKO: That's the only one that I remember, yes.

MOKOTEDI MPSHE: Were there no other operations planned by your commanders throughout the country in the year 1994?

TAPELO MASEKO: There were other operations that were planned but they never took place, this is the only operation that took place.

MOKOTEDI MPSHE: Okay.  What made the other operations not to be carried out in 1994, or what stopped them?

TAPELO MASEKO: Operations were never cancelled but because we didn't have enough weapons, those operations never took place.

MOKOTEDI MPSHE: Just the last question.  If you look at paragraph 11, do you see that, where you mentioned items that you were to repossess in terms of the Beauty Salon operations.  The jewellery you mention there, how would this help the struggle, taking a necklace and the like, how would this serve the struggle?

TAPELO MASEKO: We would sell them so that we can get money because the only thing that we wanted was money.

MOKOTEDI MPSHE: That will be all, Mr Chairman.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY ADV MPSHE

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Mr Mpshe.  Advocate Motata, do you have any questions to ask the witness?

ADV MOTATA: I've got none, Mr Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: Advocate Bosman?

ADV BOSMAN: Mr Maseko, I just want to ask you the same question I asked the previous witness.  What was the urgency of this operation so shortly before the elections, couldn't it have waited?