A camnpaign

A camnpaign initiated by The Africa-und. Bil Cosby Honorary Charman Durnisani S. Kumrao Coordinawr November, 1989 Dear Friend, continues to crush human rights in South Africa. The facts contradict the de Klerk regime's efforts to give the impression that South Africa has become kinder and gentler in 1989. Enclosed is recent information from the Human Rights Commission in South Africa which reveals the true state of affairs. They appeal to us particularly to build campaigns in the coming months on assassinations, political prisoners, and vigilante violence. While the number of people officially detained has fallen under 100 for the first time since the State of Emergency began in 1986, the number of people in detention in their own homes, by virtue of bannings and restrictions is nearly 700. The severity of these restrictions coupled with their effect on the safety of both the restrictees and their families should focus attention on an entire nation in captivity, and one increasingly at risk of assault, abduction and assassination. Indeed some of these restrictees have been killed while trying to obey their restriction orders. There is growing evidence that this is a government sanctioned campaign to assassinate its political opponents. It has claimed 15 lives since January 1988. As the Apartheid Death machine expands its scope, it continues its more traditional functions: 154 people have been executed since the beginning of 1988 and there are 88 political prisoners now on Death Row. December 10th in Human Rights Day, we urge you to join us in making the Apartheid Death bachine a public issue. South Africa will not stop these violations as long as they are ignored. * Write a letter to your local editor highlighting the continuing horror of apartheid. Call for a halt to all apartheid executions. Demand comprehensive economic sanctions. Make the regime think twice about its perceived impunity. * Hold an event in your community such as a church service, vigil or campus teach in as a reminder that efforts to reform Apartheid have been only skin deep. We have a complete list of names of people on Death Row available in our office. Please write and let us know what action you take. Sincerely Adotei Akwei Research Director The Africa Fund, 198 Broadway NewYork, N.Y 10038 (212) 982-1210 TUden J. LeMelle Mairman Jennifer Davis Exemujve Dwoctor

No, Jomo, the .,li! ,nn't g" tl l via l40 t leeRl1,50 (SoIh Afic: Rt.33 . 17c GS * Etswhr': R.I ext t cat THE The paper for a changing South Africa Volume 5, Number 41 Friday October 20 1989 to Thursday October 26 19S9 Eleventh-hour confession of 1(an about to hang ... Death-row policeman tells of SB 'hit-squad' BY IVOR POWELL A FORMER security policeman on death row yesterday claimed he was part of a police death-squad that brutally killed leading human rights activist Griffiths Mxengc. butana Almond Nofomela, who was granted a last-minute stay of execution last night, claimed in an affidavit that he was one of four South African security policemen who killed Mxenge under orders from senior officers in the force eight years ago. Nofomela said in the affidavit that he was partially responsible fur eight other political killings ordered by superior officers and that all hut orte of the victinis were connected to the African National Congress. It was utnclear at th time of goitng to prcss whether the confession was genuine, or merely -/ a well-hatched plot Il escape tile inoose %&ailing for Nolonicla curly this morning. if ia is Shown to bc trile, it will he the first niajor ticd ito emerge froin the series I of political assassii lions in receit yCars. ," " 0Ili his affidavit Noto * incla gave a detailed ti scription of ike Nileligc kctlu aitil itg ttc IxilicC olflitcrs HK luhdict a tIrc.igthield j c ii tain. According to siles ii Nat.l, Noiucitla's acCOUill ties Closely with.die fa, is )t Ih case., Justice Minister Kohlce Coctsec grained Notu ncila a last-nlullUle stay oh cccutiot, ysc.rtlay evening after l.awyers for I lucia klighi, hu;i subniiitcd cite afl'idivit ill ail urgen appi tiuiui0t for tihe laclging to be haied. The lc lcIcv c ill reniaici in forte uciI hcliegioci. Ia' sli invetigallc the killiig cit tt setile at I Jilltit Sl iijc .c.. diuni oit Novec citer 14, 1981 was a jCe sta'niI brulal ile. ilie h)lirttii muli ) c il sit, l l i, d witlh knivcs, tics Itirt i ci i as Cul ld h.11 C.11 i%off. flis body was lucuid tile IICXl icirilllg is ill., 21cm gash across lite lcioal, 45 talb i ounu,. and a cished skull. Two fiercc dogs dtial Msxcnge kept hl Iccli, timt' had bhcIl poicocicil a few days cu ett ,c Griffils Muceuge's wile, ViC clra. '.ar, siai dead a few years later Ul dte t- ii - e t1yo cc lv home. Both killings remain unsttvet Nofomela, 32, who was based at securli' branch headquarters in Pretoria, claimed ie was sent to Ourban by senior officers in the L_ .... TO PAGE 2 Policeman's hit-squad claims company of three other "colleagues'. OFrom PAGE 1 The instructions given to the four were to "eliminate" Mxeng "for his carried an butchering him badly," he activities within the ANC", and to said in fte afidavit. make the crime look like arobbery. "We removed Mxenge's items of In the affidavit, be described the value like his money and watch in orjourney to Durbar, and how he poi- der to simulate a robbery". soned the MWenge dogs. Theythen took Mxenge's car to The assassins, Nofomela said, Umlazi police station, and later Noscouted out the Mienge home and the onela drove it to Piet Retief in the route which Griffiths took on his company of a senior white police ofway home from work. ficer, stripped it and set it alight ner "In the meantime I went to the the Swaziland border. house and threw the (poisoned) meat Notomela claimed that be and his into the yard as planned." fellow assassins were each paid Hovftver they were unable to get R1 000. He was told he night be Mxenge until several days later, needed at a later date to kill Mxmge's when they faked a breakdown at a wife, but he was not given further orpoint they knew he would pass on ders in this regard. his way back home from work. He claimed to have taken part in a "Mxenge stopped behind the bakkie series of police killings on ANC tar(where the four were waiting) mad gets, four of them in Swaziland, one asked whether he could help us. I in Maser and one in Botswana. opened the car and I said 'Yes Nofomela said he was visited on please'. He then switched off his ig- death row on a number of occasions nition ad at the same tm I pulled by security branch policemen who asmy firearm, a Makarv pistoL" ireid him that steps were being taken Nofomela then describes how they on his behalf and he would be saved took Mxgcng to Umlazi Stadium and from the noose. But. losing faith on hacked him to death. , receiving his notice of execution last "We then all sLabed him evcW Friday, he sent a message to Lawyers times. He immedially died and we for Human Rights.

P0 Box 32723 Braamfontein 2017 Johannesburg lu -IlP South Africa I r> IF(, Qr1(RUrM Phone: (011) 403-4450/1 CO M T- Fax: 339-1422 2 November, 1989. Unlock Apartheid's Jails, The Africa Fund, Dear Friends, First of all, we would like to thank you for the support and the interest you show in South African affairs. We would urge you to take seriously the contents of this mailing and hope that your efforts in respect of Human Rights issues in South Africa be renewed. A new trend has emerged in South Africa in the last couple of months - there have been certain changes, such as the low numbers in detention and the release of some high profile political prisoners. The strategies of the state may have changed but its intentions remain the same. The HRC has noted a marked increase in politically related trials, and subsequent convictions, over the past year. The situation with regard to death row prisoners is serious and despite calls for a halt to executions and calls for a judicial enquiry into the use of the death sentence there seems little likelihood that either of these are being taken seriously. The situation with regard to assassinations and attacks on individuals is as serious. There have been numerous calls for a judicial enquiry into unsolved assassination attacks and attempted assassinations. These calss have gone unheeded, although numbers increase and assassinations and attacks on individuals continue. We will continue to monitor and work towards the upholding of the articles as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are encouraged by the many others - both individuals and groups - who are also striving to this end. Again with thanks and best wishes. THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Commissioners: Reverend Frank Chikane, Dr Max Coleman, Professor John Dugard ' Mrs Sheena Duncan, Father Smangaliso Mkhalshwa

LIST OF PERSONS ON DEATH ROW FOR POLITICALLY-RELATED REASONS Dickson MADIKANE Patrick MANGINDA Zwelenkosi MJO Oupa Josias MBONANE (stay of execution 5/25/89) Gilindoda GXEXWA Nico Ledube MNYAMANA Clifford ? Abraham ZEYO Vusumsi JACK Mxolisi NCAPAYI Mthetheleli MNCUBE Stanford LELEMPE Mthetheleli LUCAS Mandla MNGOMEZULU (executed 5/25/89) Absolom NKOBELA (appealed 8/18/89) Mpande Joseph MAHLALELA Phutumile DLABATHI Jerry MOLEBENG Mkhuseli MDEPHA Mangena BOESMAN (executed 9/29/89) Ringo FARLAND Patrick MOLEFE George MAUNGEDZO Nelson BOSS Steven Mnyamazeli DYAMANI Ting Ting MASANGO Leonard SHEEHANA Eric Tros GUBULA Myner Gudlani BOVU Andrew LEKHANYANE Zonga ZABENDLINI Boy JAFTA Gideon MADLONGOLWANE Albert TYWILI Phumzile MAYAPHI Mabongo JAMELA Mbeki MBUSI Soyiso ZUZANI Mandlenkosi JAKAVU Thando KANA Mzwandile KATSIKATSI Desmond MAJOLA Robert McBRIDE Basayi MAQOKO Sibusiso Senele MASUKU (stay of execution 5/25/89) Menze TAFENI Mtutuzeli NGQANDA Reuben ? Samson BOOYSEN Bennet SONAMZI Vuyani JACOBS Rodney MOLOI Tozamile MOOI Mzoneleli NONDULA Phenius NDLOVU (appealed 8/18/89) Elliot Malindane NKUNA Sipho GONYA Israel MACHASA Johannes MONO David MOKWENA Dilizintaba "Lucky" NOMNGANGA Oupa Alex SEHERI Wilson MATSHILI Takaleni MAPHANGA Sikhumbuzo JANTJIES Jabu Obed MASINA Neo POTSANE Kenneth Pinkie KHUMALO David LEKHANYANE Zuko ZABENDLINI Justice BEKEBEKE Wellington MASIZA Evelina DE BRUIN Xolile YONA Ndibulela NDZAMELA Bonakele JWAMBI Luyanda KANA Xolile NKUKWANA Mbuyiselo KLAAS Raymond M. KANA Bangkhaya PETROS Mbokeli Stunke MAVELA from: Human Rights Commission October 19 1989

A campaign initiated by The Africa Fund. Bil Cosby Honorary Chbarman SDumiiani S. Kumalo Coormla u November 1989 APARTHEID MEANS DEATH BACKGROUND BRIEFING ON POLITICAL ASSASSINATION AND DEATH ROW Recently U.S. press coverage has focused on the reformist nature of the de Klerk government. While some prisoners have been released and some marches permitted the killing machine continues to function. The violence it perpetrates manifests itself in covert and official acts, which have claimed the lives of hundreds of people. Since 1984 the security forces alone have killed 1,113 people in the course of quelling anti-apartheid protest in the townships. A further 1,848 died as a result of internecine vigilante wars which the government has either ignored or actively sanctioned by indirectly supporting pro- government combatants making areas such as Natal into virtual war zones. There is also a disturbing increase in documented individual attacks and assassinations. While the list enclosed is incomplete it is telling that of the 53 known cases since 1977 not one has resulted in conviction or even a trial. The issue of vigilante attacks and assassinations becomes one of critical importance when one remembers that over 600 "released" detainees have been left vulnerable by virtue or their restriction orders which program their movements and make them easy targets. Two restrictees have already been brutally assassinated this year. Complimenting this campaign of assassination is the system of capital punishment which has been used to silence as many voices opposing apartheid as possible. The statistics are frightening; 1,070 people were hanged by the government in South Africa between 1980 and 1988. In 1987, South Africa distinguished itself with the second highest execution rate in the world. 164 people were hanged. Most disturbing however, is the fact that 97% percent of those hanged were Black. The issue of the death penalty becomes clearer when comparisons are made between black and white; between 1982-83 out of 81 Blacks convicted of murder, 38 were executed. In contrast, of the 52 whites convicted: of murdering whites, only 1 was hanged. None of the 21 whites convicted of murdering Blacks was executed. Currently there are 274 people on Death Row, 11 of them are white. * Write a letter to your local editor highlighting the continuing horror,,of: apartheid. Call for a halt to all apartheid executions. Demand comprehensive economic sanctions. Make the regime think twice about: its perceived impunity A complete list of names and details is available from the Africa Fund. The Africa Fund, 198 Broadwa, New York, NY 10038 (212) 962-1210 T11den J. LeMelle Jennifer Davis Charman Execuive Diretor

SOME KNOWN VICTIMS OF ASSASSINATIONS Note: This list does not include victims of vigilante action or those known to have been killed by the police "in the course of their normal duties". It is not comprehensive. Not one of the murders listed below has resulted in a trial or conviction. ROBERT AND JEANNNE-CORA SMIT GRIFFITHS MXENGE ALEX PILANE SPARROW MKHONTO TOTO DWEBA GODFREY THUSO PHUSO IAN ZAMISA FRANK MARTIN JOSEPH MOTHOPENG DILIZA MATSHOBA FUZILE LUPULWANA FABIAN AND FLORENCE RIBIERO YVONNE NTSELE SAMUEL NDLOVU PETROS MNISI LINDA BRAKVIS AMOS BOSHOMANE MICHAEL BANDA SAWUTINI BOOI DAVID WEBSTER JABU NDLOVU STANFORD MAZIKWANA SAMSON GODOLA RICK TURNER BRIAN MBULELO MAZIBUKO SICELO MHLAWULI THABO MOKOENA BATANDWA NDONDO LEFU RASEGO ESTHER MASUKU JOYCE MODIMOENG JOMO MKIZE SONWABO NGXALE WALTER LEDWABA JACOB MAMPURU MKOSINATHI SHABANGU X. MTOSANA AMOS TSHABALALA SICELO DHLOMO MTHUTHUSALI PAYI ABUBAKER ASVAT CHRISTY NTULI ZOLANI DALA BASHI GUGUSHE BOFANA SIGASA ERIC GUMEDE

:nitiated by The Africa Fund. BIU Cosby Honorary Chawman Dumiani S. Kuxmao Coordinator November, 1989 A GLIMPSE INSIDE DEATH ROW EVELINA DE BRUIN is a 56 years old illiterate mother of four. She holds the burden of being the only South African woman on Death Row by virtue of being a defendant in the infamous Uppington treason trial. The case concluded with 14 people, the largest figure in South African history, being sentenced to death earlier this year because of the death of a policeman. The Uppington case, like that of the Sharpeville Six attracted international attention and protest at the states's advocacy of guilt by association. Under this policy, even if a person does not participate directly in a killing, one is guilty of murder by virtue of "sharing common purpose" with the mob. Although de Bruin was convicted of having "common purpose" with the killers of the policeman the court found no evidence that she actually physically participated in the killing. Mrs. de Bruin suffers from severe arthritis, a heart condition and severe depression. As she is the only woman on Death Row and is illiterate, she is totally isolated and dependent on the prison staff for company and information. She is allowed to see her husband, also on Death Row, for half an hour every month. According to medical experts monitoring her case she is literally rotting away physically and mentally. She suffers from extreme guilt at her inability to be a mother to her children. JOSEPH CHIDI, has been on Death Row for over 21 months. He was convicted for the alleged murder of Sello Gideon Moeng, a Tembisa Town Councillor and sentenced to death on September 14th 1987. He remains there despite the fact that the prime witness initially claimed to have no knowledge of the killing. After having been forced to testify against Chidi he later retracted his statement implicating him in the murder. Joseph Chabedi then stated that his original testimony was made under duress and he was repeatedly assaulted by the Temibsa Police and told what to say. The Africa F=Ld 1N8 Broadway, Now York, N.Y 10038 (212) 982-1210 TlldenJ. LeMee Jennifer Davis Chtarman Executve Directr

WEEKLY MAIL, October 27 to November 2 1989 I*I Targets for murder Who are these men? Death-row prisoner Nofomela claims they are 'Al T I ESE ate photographs of susper'ted ANC gttefillas, found tnder a mattress in the home of former security policeman and death row ptisoner Butana AImtond Nofitela. tie says he was ordered to kill the men. "Thesc pictures ate part of Ihe evidence that ci11ciged this week so back Nofomcla's claims thalie na.ts palt ofa p ltice death squad which ;u~saita.uaed human rights activist Griffiths islseige and at least eight other idividuals liLed Ito the Africai National Congress. IIc niv ii the pictures have either beets as.,sinitl ed )I" wyie taUgcts tior assassitation letIle Nifonila's arrest fur murdering a Nkike tarmer in 1986. Weekly Afail has not been able so ideitify the three. Also discovered in Nofomela's home this week by members of Lawyers for Iuman Rietus were a cache of 91in bullets, false pa.sloi is and foreign currency. ote of the passl)orts bears a Swaziland border council stamp; Nofotnela claims he used it oii an assassination mission in the neighbouring state. And further evidence of the existence of a secret "anti-terrorist" hit squad based in secur- operatives' he was ordered to hunt down and kill one to have been investigated so tar -- ; member of the Pretoria security police squad. youths on the Swaziland border and led themn into a police trap. 0 0 In an atfidavit sworn gort he Chesierville inactivists, says 'it-sq~gua'~ eokh " fi vi is U S U 1 quest, De Kock, who desetibes himself as s "unit commander concern;d with inIestCigiiing terrorism", says: "Since 1983 I h.ve been no e led w ith in v e stig a tin g ter iori s i i. policeizain on deotrow r..perations (covrt p.iI like thai in Cheslervilic) ar. oniy c:aried ow in cxcptionlt cilcuoissances uiere it is icoieved that groups front tie ANC ate tqp.il' ing" kil1 2~ ~ TL~ !! Birt ~ . ~ ~ leneath D~e Kock is tic (liciecksitie ., ity police headquarters in Pretoria - includ- mand. of colillnd was tciidoit illi I ll ,d ing the names of policemen implicated by In the Cliesierville case, the couti is iivesli- Jacobus vani Dyk, wtiosaid a.i .fia' it p::: Nofomela - has emerged in two separate in- gating die deaths iii June 1986 of four yooditis before the court tha tle unit lie liitcil hid quests in Natal, shot dead and two others injured wheki police been together for Iltrce ycais tiit| litthe t0 the" In both this week's inquests, involving inci- opened fire on a hut in th . The six Chesierviile killings. dents in Piel Relief and Chesterville, a Major youths had allegedly been lured into the hut lie told the court that. |lihe:i din hi,ii Eugene Alexander de Kock appears as a sen- by three security olice operatives posing as headquaters in I'hitoi:a, ilc set up illi ior officer commanding the operation. In the "comrades". tioaal base ;t CR S art 'iti,h Staik l!;{itt It )ti Piet Retief case, he personally headed an ail- The Piet Relief case involves parallel inves- bali, aid the "uit cattle i) See ih' i-I-'bush in which four suspected ANC guerrillas tigations: in two separate incidents in June T[his :ti,'J hht, op, a.I iJ IC'*Cs 11 i tt % .iI) were killed. last year, groups of four youths crossing the Noloincla's allegations III lt s IIt,, 11it De Kock's name also appears in Notosuela's border from Swaziland were shot and killed lltl. affidavit as a senior link it. the chain of com- by police. In one of the incidents - the only . To PAGE 4 Kill activists, 'hit- man' eFrom PAGE 1 In the case of Mxenge-idfled at Unazi Sports Stadium eight years ago - Nolom e. ie says alter the fmal bridling at headquoartes in Pretoria,, he and his fellow assassins "travelled to Durba In one ear., where we met (field officer Johamnes Dhl),Coetzee at CR Swart police station. Coeizee had tray. elled to Durban sepamldyl. : Having killed Mxenge, Nofomela daims, he and his fellow assassins "returned to CR Swart where we were barracked for the re. mainder f our slay in Dutban".. The information emerging from the three incidents under scrutiny in these inquests shows a sinister pattern -ic'leh matches Nofomela's tale In many riespects: Olin each ease the target was a person r group of people believed by the pollee to be ANC members or to have links with the ANC. Nunomeln said al his asasslnatlon targets were suspected of having ANC links. Olin nearly all eases, police initially blamed internal ANC rivalries or robberies tjw the killings. In some, the fact that ANCasi'iated veapon like AK47s or Makarov tnin pistols were used gave Initial credence tip this ihttepreatioe. Nuflitnela claims that he and his coassassins had orders to make the crime look like a robbery, and to this end Mixenge's watch and money were removed from the bedy. Also a tape deck and radio were taken out of the car, and alegedly later installed in the servie vehicle of a Brigadier Schoun. eFnlmilles of the victims have complained about the police invesilitions. Pri. vale prosecutions have been initied If the state does not prosecute those involved. Mxenge's family has also complained about a "slapd&slW' avesigaian. 40n each occasion the police set a trap for their vctios. Nofmda said hil unit had staged a breakdown to stop Mxenge on his way home, and kidnap hi. Enach of the three Iniddents involved one or more "turned" ANC operative. In each case, Mit person (or persen) has been used as a secret witness in subsequent trials o former ANC comrades; as suds lheir fidt. ties arev protected by law and we are unable to publish delall. Simillarly, one of the fellow-ssassins named by Nofomela gve evidence as a "Mr X" In a recent Port Visbeth security ease ad told the court be wa frOmer ANC member. F -I,