/ 17 September 2000

AMNESTY FOR EIKENHOF THREE KILLER

THE Truth and Reconciliation Commission has granted amnesty to a commander of the Azanian Peoples Liberation Army (Apla), Phila Dolo, for planning the killing of the Eikenhof Three in March 1993. Dolo applied for amnesty for his role in the killings of Zandra Mitchley, Shaun Mitchley, Claire Silberbauer and attempted murder of Norman Mitchley and Craig Lamprecht on the Johannesburg/Vereeniging Highway. Dolo told the amnesty committee that he ordered and commanded the operatives who carried out the operation because whites were legitimate targets of Apla attacks. The committee found that Dolo met the requirements of the Truth and Reconciliation Act because he made full disclosure, and because the Eikenhof Three incident consituted an act associated with a political objective. The victims’ next of kin, Norman Mitchley and Craig Lamprecht, were referred to the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee for assistance. Another Apla cadre granted amnesty was Luyanda Gqomfa for murder, attempted murders, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of an R5 rifle and ammunition. Gqomfa was involved in shootings during March 1992 in the Sterkspruit area. Also granted amnesty by the committee were the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Ronnie Kasrils, Damien de Lange, Ian Robertson and Susan de Lange for being involved in the De Lange MK Unit from 1986 to 1988. – Own Correspondent