MS MKHIZE
May we, before I give you an opportunity to talk about your experience of human rights violations I will briefly remind the participants and address the Commissioners on the background to your experience.
 In 1988 Soweto was still under a total state of emergency.  Countrywide over 5,000 people were detained and over 1,149 people killed in political violence.  In February 1988 P W Botha amended the state of emergency regulations giving the Minister of Law and Order the power to restrict the activities of organisations or individuals if he was of the opinion that it was necessary.  To enforce these restrictions and the state of emergency the SAP and SADF presence in townships was strengthened.  
 Meanwhile for the ANC the arms struggle continued despite rumours that it was ready to negotiate with the government.  1988 was named the Year of United Action towards People's Power.  According to the Minister of Law and Order Mr Vlok 144 policemen were killed in the years 1984 to 1987.  Vlok further added that it was not possible to distinguish which of the murders were politically motivated.
 In April 1988 there were at least five documented cases of political attacks on police including the attack on Gregory Edmund Beck and three other policemen.
 Having said all that I will ask you to address the 
JOHANNESBURG HEARING TRC/GAUTENG
3 G BECK
Commission, briefly tell them your involvement as a policeman and your experiences around the incident that you have come here to talk to us about.