/ 10 June 1999

TRC CONSIDERS REOPENING GONIWE CASE

THE Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s amnesty committee is considering reopening the amnesty application hearing by security policemen who killed Matthew Goniwe and three other Eastern Cape activists known as the Cradock Four in 1985, TRC spokesman Phila Nqgumba said on Thursday. This comes after George Bizos SC, who appeared for the families of the four former United Democratic Front activists, applied to the TRC to reopen the case after the Mail & Guardian revealed that plans to “eliminate” Goniwe were discussed at a former State Security Council meeting. Former president FW de Klerk and high-ranking National Party cabinet ministers were present at the meeting. Nqgumba said that the committee is still considering the request for a reopening and will make its decision known in the near future.