: DECISION
The applicant, Zenzele Terrence Dlamini, seeks amnesty for contravening the Terrorism Act for which offence he was charged, convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. He was released from Robben Island prison on 27 April 1994.
The application arises from a bomb attack on or about 13 August 1986 on a mobile police station and the Sobantu School which was used as a military base in Sobantu Village near Pietermaritzburg. A policeman, one W/O Liebenberg was injured in the incident.
The applicant testified at the hearing. Liebenberg who has since left the police force did not attend the hearing and had indicated that he has no further interest in it. The matter thus proceeded on an unopposed basis.
The Applicant testified that he is and was at the time of the incident, a member of the African National Congress, who was trained in Swaziland. He and his comrades Baba Majola and Mduduzi Xaba, now deceased, acted on the orders of their commander Ralph, who died in Swaziland. He is unable to remember Ralph's surname. The reason for the attack was to advance the liberation struggle in which struggle the police and soldiers were seen as protecting the apartheid system.
The Committee considered the above evidence and in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, is satisfied that the Applicant has complied with all the provisions for amnesty as required in the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act 34/95.
Accordingly the Applicant is GRANTED amnesty for the offence of contravening the Terrorism Act at or near Sobantu village, Pietermaritzburg on or about 13 August 1986, flowing from the bomb attack on the Sobantu mobile police station and Sobantu school.
W/O Liebenberg formerly of the SAP and now resident at 36 Railway Street, Graaff Reinet is referred to the Committee for Rehabilitation and Reparation for consideration as a victim.
DATED at CAPE TOWN this day of NOVEMBER 1999.
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JUDGE DENZIL POTGIETER
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ADV. F J BOSMAN
ADV N SANDI
