CHAIRPERSON
...[inaudible] applicants in respect of the murder of certain persons on the 26th of December 1993.  We have had put before us Indictment, Summary of Substantial Facts and Judgment relating to that case and I don't consider it necessary to set out any of the details.  We have also of course got the applications of the three applicants.
	It is clear from the Judgment and from the evidence that was led before us today, that the killings took place in an area known as Bottlebrush, which was an ANC area and where the ANC committees sought to provide some form of government for the local community.
	There is evidence that a gang known as "The Mafia" was causing havoc in the area, committing crimes of violence such as robbery, rape and that despite requests the police appeared to be unable to do anything to prevent the recurrence of these offences.
	The community thereafter looked at the ANC and the representatives of the ANC for assistance.  All three applicants were either members or office bearers of the ANC at the time.  
	It is clear from the Judgment and the evidence that they took what steps they could to try to stop the gang behaving as they did but were unable to do so and finally on the day in question were driven to desperation by the kidnapping and multiple gang-rape of some young girls the night before.
	It is not necessary in my view to set out any detailed reasoning, that I refer to the Judgment which deals concisely with all that happened and to the argument advanced before us today by Mr Samuel, who also sets out sucintly the basis on which the application is brought before us and the reason why in his submission it should be granted.
	We are satisfied that the three applicants acting on behalf of the ANC which was seeking to provide governance and assistance to the community, acted to prevent further crime, acted to support the community view that they could look to the ANC for assistance.  And this is in our view certainly an act committed with a political objective. 
	The conditions existing at that time were such that people could feel they were driven to violence.  It is of course no longer an excuse for anyone to continue to take the law into their own hands in such a way but in the circumstances that existed then, we feel it is not an act of such a nature that the applicants should be deprived of amnesty because of the brutality of the  act.  
	We accordingly GRANT THE APPLICATION FOR AMNESTY OF ALL THREE APPLICANTS in respect of the killing of the persons set out in the indictment.  
	None of the victims have been present here today but we have been given a list which we'll submit to the 
R & R Committee for their consideration.  They are