MR KOOPEDI
May I, I believe it is common cause that all four applicants that have appeared before you, were at the time of commission of this killing, members of a liberation movement.  These applicants believed that their actions is in furtherance of a political struggle waged by the ANC against the former State of South Africa.
	May I remind you Honourable Committee members, that this was at a time where the former regime had gone all out to stamp out all opposition and protest against its oppressive rule?  The country had just undergone two states of emergencies, 1985 and 1986.  There was complete chaos and turmoil in our townships and particularly amongst our youth.
	There was on the other hand, an offensive launched by the liberation movement, against the regime.  Cadres of the liberation movement was being infiltrated in great numbers, automatic weapons could be found in abundance in our townships and the weapons I am referring to, are not the weapons that were being carried for criminal purposes, but for the furthering of the political aims of the liberation movement, which was to overthrow the government of the day.
	Chairperson, it is during this time and in that political context, and in reaction to that context that this offence was committed.  Looking at all the probabilities, the motive behind this killing, was political.  There was no personal gain by any of the four applicants, in terms of the evidence that has come before you.
	In applying your minds Honourable Committee members, to this application, I wish to urge you to be subjective, to place yourselves in the applicant's shoes at that time.  The applicants were relatively young.  The first applicant was 26 years old, the second and third were 21 years old and the fourth, the last applicant was 18 years old.