MR VAN BREDA
Thank you Mr Chairperson, first of all I would like to apologise to the Committee and all the legal representatives here for being late and in the whole explanation the reason will come forth.  Mr Chairperson, what has happened in the first place, we had difficulty in tracing the second applicant in this matter.  We eventually have been successful in that and he is present today.  The problem that we experience is the following.  On the 6th December 1999 we received a fax from the Amnesty Committee stating that - and I will read the facts
"We would like to inform you that the Bisho Matter is set from 31 January to 1 February 2000 at a venue to be announced later.  Thank you for your co-operation herein.  Yours faithfully, Zuko Camagu."
	Mr Chairperson, that is the only correspondence I received as far as this matter is concerned.  I didn't receive any notification as far as the venue is concerned.  In fact my secretary phoned on Monday to find out where we should go to because we heard it's either Umtata or King William's Town, were we informed that the amnesty application is proceeding in Umtata on the 31st January and I was actually amazed to find out it will be in Umtata.  I spoke to another person who is also an applicant in that matter and he informed me that it could not be correct because their matter is proceeding on the 31st January and that person's name is Harold Chandla.  So then on the 1st of February I spoke to the people again in Cape Town to make enquiries.  They informed me no, that the date has been changed to the 3rd and the 4th February, they informed me in fact that it is still in Umtata or that the venue is in Umtata and that was Tuesday.   I indicated to them that I will experience difficulties in that due to other commitments and on Wednesday I was in contact with them again and I was advised by the members in Cape Town that I should attend today and just explain to the Committee.  I can just also inform that I was only notified yesterday of the venue which will be of course King William's Town.  The other commitments I'm referring to, Mr Chairperson, I have a matter that we're busy with in East London where the people are from Johannesburg.  Counsel has been briefed, we've started this morning with that matter.  I've explained my position there to the various - or the magistrate and requested them that the matter stand down until 2 o'clock which will enable me to come to this Committee and explain the situation.  The case was yesterday also on the roll, was rolled to today and we're not sure whether it will be finalised today or tomorrow.  We trust tomorrow it will be finalised, but the fact of the matter is, Mr Chairperson, that due to these other commitments I could not have made arrangements in time, I didn't have time to do that as I was only informed of the date on Tuesday 1st February and it is my humble submission and I know the problems as far as these applications are concerned and the logistical problems as well as the finances involved and it's my humble submission that it cannot be regarded as unreasonable for me to apply for remand if I receive notice of the date two days before the time especially due to the fact that the only fax that we received stated the dates being the 31st January and the 1st February. 
	My learned friend sitting next to me also showed me a document which he received now this morning and as far as opposition is concerned, which I have not received, I have not even had a look at it but be that as it may the problem is I have other commitments which will also be a costly affair to try and postpone that and in that case one person is in custody and should we postpone that matter it will mean that he will remain another four or five months in custody before we will be able to proceed with that case.  
	Under the circumstances I'll ask the Committee, or my instructions are to ask for a postponement in this matter due to the problems I've just sketched.  As it pleases this Committee.