TRC Final Report

Volume 1

Chapter 10

Subsection 2

Administrative procedures

Registration

9 All 7 127 amnesty applications were registered on the database and allocated a serial number. Original applications were then filed in strong rooms, and a working file was created for each application.

Perusal

10 During September 1997, all applications were perused and divided into:

a ‘hearable matters’ (those applications involving gross human rights violations which required a public hearing in terms of the Act);

b ‘chamber matters’ (applications involving violations of human rights which were not ‘gross’ as defined by the Act);

c ‘possible refusals’ (applications that, at least superficially, did not qualify for amnesty in terms of the Act).

Operational themes

11 The ‘hearable matters’ were divided into themes. This assisted evidence analysts and evidence leaders in the perusal of the applications for consideration by the Committee. The themes were selected at a workshop attended by the Research Department, the Investigation Unit, data capturers and Amnesty Committee personnel. The themes were as follows: a the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and its alliances b the African National Congress (ANC) and its alliances c the white right wing d pro-state organisations e the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and its alliances.

Data gathering

12 The Amnesty Committee gathered data from a variety of sources, as did the other committees of the Commission. Evidence analysts and evidence leaders read and perused each application received with a view to verifying the information it contained. In addition, use was made of information gathered by the Research Department and the Investigation Unit or contained in submissions made to the Commission by political organisations and liberation movements. The section 29 in camera hearings were another source of information used to verify and corroborate information provided in applications.

Corroboration

13 The Investigation Unit and, to a certain extent, the Research Department assisted with the corroboration of statements made by applicants. The Investigation Unit was asked to obtain police dockets and other relevant information from institutions like the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Justice. In certain instances, evidence leaders and analysts interviewed individuals, applicants and/or victims to corroborate information contained in particular submissions.

Document retrieval

14 In an endeavour to assist the Committee in assessing and considering particular amnesty applications, documentation was retrieved from (amongst others) the NIA, the SAPS, the attorneys-general, and masters and registrars of the Supreme Court.

Workshops

15 The Amnesty Department held three workshops aimed at streamlining and assuring the proper execution of its work:

a for evidence leaders and investigative personnel in October 1996;

b for evidence leaders, analysts and the Investigation Unit in November 1997;

c for logistic officers in December 1997.