MR VISSER
Mr Chairman, perhaps, just to be of assistance.  You may wonder why this particular statement may be of importance.  In that regard, Mr Chairman, the Attorney-General of the Free State wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission dated the 19th of June 1996.  It has just been pointed out to me it is the North Cape division and, Mr Chairman, perhaps, if I could just read two paragraphs to you, you will immediately understand why, what the relevance of this statement will be, apart from the obvious relevance.  He says at page two, the second paragraph,
"During the original trial Adv Denzil Potgieter appeared as defence council for the accused.  Shortly after the commencement of the trial, Adv Potgieter approached the prosecuting state advocates with a copy of an affidavit, signed by Walter Smiles, in which he accepted full responsibility for the explosion.  On the strength of the affidavit, Adv Potgieter wanted the State to stop the prosecution against his clients which would have resulted in their immediate acquittal."
The last paragraph reads as follows:
"After considering the affidavit, the State advocates came to the conclusion that it was a fabrication to secure the acquittal of the two accused.  I agreed with them and it was decided to proceed with the case.  It was pointed out to Adv Potgieter that he was entitled to call Smiles as a defence witness to prove his client's innocence.  In court, however, Adv Potgieter attempted to introduce the statement without calling Smiles as a witness.
		This was improper and disallowed by the Judge.  Adv Potgieter never called Smiles as a witness and simply left the matter at that."
The point here, that seems to appear from this, is that the Attorney-General's staff, at least, on the strength of the affidavit, decided that it was a fabrication.  So, it seems, from that point of view, that it must be of vital importance to your Committee, Mr Chairman.  I just wanted to draw your attention to that.