The ANC has noted the acquittal of the accused in the Magnus
Malan trial by the Durban Supreme Court on Friday 11 October 1996.
The ANC will study the judgement and make a more detailed response
in due course.
The ANC nonetheless, unequivocally accepts and respects the decision of the Supreme court in this regard.
The people of our country who fought against apartheid and made many sacrifices expect that there should be proper investigations into the activities of hitsquads including those of members of the former National Party government who may be implicated in such activities.
In this regard, questions, have arisen as to why the KwaZulu/Natal Attorney-General Adv. Tim McNally decided to prosecute Malan and others without ensuring that there was adequate evidence placed before the court. Questions have also been raised about the manner in which the prosecution was conducted.
The ANC expresses its appreciation for the tireless efforts of the police officers who investigated the matter in an effort to find the perpetrators of such heinous acts.
Between 1990 and 1994 both KwaZulu/Natal and various urban centres in Gauteng were subjected to an unprecedented wave of political violence perpetrated by gangs of killers who to this day remain undetected and unknown. It remains a task of the police service to pursue these investigations with rigour so that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Issued by Department of Information and Publicity
P.O. Box 61884
Marshalltown
2107
11 October 1996.