MR MAPOMA
Thank you, Chairperson.
	Chairperson, to start with, from the submissions made by the applicant it is quite clear that the applicants' representatives acknowledge that the provisions of the Act make the Amnesty Committee a Committee capable of making its independent decisions with regard to the amnesty applications.  And it is acknowledged by them as well that the Committee cannot be influenced by the decision of the, the findings of the TRC, because it has got its own powers.  Such powers, Chairperson, are derived from Section 4(c) read with Section 5(e), and the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act 34 of 1995.  In particular, Chairperson, Section 5(e) provides that no decision of the Amnesty Committee may be interfered with by the Commission.  Those provisions, Chairperson, depict the independence of the Amnesty Committee.  Those provisions were properly interpreted, Chairperson, by the decision in AZANIAN PEOPLE'S ORGANISATION AND OTHERS v THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AND OTHERS 1996(4) SA671.  In particular Judge Mohamed, on page 685, paragraph E the Judge says - if I can quote, Chairperson: