AC/2001/173

      TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION

      AMNESTY COMMITTEE

APPLICATION IN TERMS OF SECTION 18 OF THE PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION ACT, NO.34 OF 1995.

JAN JONATHAN LOURENS    APPLICANT

(AM6490/97)

                                                                                                   DECISION

The Applicant in this matter was an engineer who joined the Air Force in 1982/3.  He subsequently transferred to Special Forces as a Captain when he came under the command of Brigadier Wouter Basson.  He now applies for amnesty for supplying various types of weapons and accessories namely:

1.    Letter bomb mechanisms;

2.    Silencers for weapons;

3.    Various types of specifically made weapons which could be used in the application of small amounts of lethal chemicals to individuals.  These weapons varied from injector based through to small projectile launching weapons.

These weapons were supplied to his Commanding Officer and at no time was the Applicant aware of when, how or against whom the weapons were to be used.  In some instances he prepared the weapon himself;  in others he obtained them from a Mr Phil Morgan.  The period referred to in his application was 1985 to 1992.

The Applicant's political objective in acting as he did was to contribute towards the defeat of the Liberation Movements' armed struggle against this country.  It was his belief and intention that the weapons be used against those who were planning and implementing armed insurrection against South Africa.

Philip Morgan, who is referred to above, has also applied for amnesty in respect of the supply of weapons confirmed in his application that he reported to the Applicant but understood Brigadier Wouter basson was in overall control.

We are satisfied that the application meets the requirements of the act:  that the Applicant acted with an acceptable political objective and that he has made a full disclosure of his part in the obtaining of weapons.

Accordingly the Applicant is GRANTED amnesty in respect of his obtaining for and supplying lethal weapons or apparatus to Brigadier Wouter Basson during the period 1985 - 1992, such weapons being;

1.    Letter bomb mechanisms;

2.    Silencers for weapons;

3.    Various specially made weapons which could be used in the application of small amounts of lethal chemicals to individuals varying from injector based weapons to small projectile launching weapons.

SIGNED AT CAPE TOWN ON THIS THE 17TH DAY OF MAY 2001

JUDGE A WILSON

ADV F BOSMAN

MR W MALAN

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