Right-Wing Groups - South African Government Information

involved. He testified that during 1992 he had become uncertain about the
political situation in the country and feared that he would not have a voice in
the changing South Africa. He had a growing feeling that something should be
done about the situation, which he saw as advancing rapidly towards black
majority rule.
222. The Committee found that the act committed by Vosloo amounted to no more
than a purely criminal deed and he was denied amnesty [AC/1997/0026].
The Rodora roadblock killings
223. Four people, including two children aged nine and thirteen, were killed by an
AWB gang which set up a roadblock at the ‘Rodora crossing’ outside
Ventersdorp on 12 December 1993. Nine members of the AWB applied for
amnesty for the incident: Phillipus Cornelius Kloppers [AM4627/97], Deon
Martin [AM4621/97], Andre Francois Visser [AM4571/97], Marius Etienne Vi s s e r
[AM7003/97], Petrus Matthews [AM4624/97], Carel Hendrik Meiring
[AM7002/97], Gerhardus Johannes Diedrichs [AM6662/97], Frederick Jacobus
Badenhorst [AM7004/97] and Marthinus Lodewikes van der Schyff [AM5435/97].
224. After mounting a roadblock, the applicants searched several cars for weapons
they wanted to confiscate for their ‘war’. The occupants of two cars were
assaulted and later shot. An ear of one of the victims was cut off to show their
c o m m a n d e r, AWB General Japie Oelofse, allegedly at his request. Oelofse did
not appear in person and did not formally oppose the applications but, thro u g h
his Counsel, disassociated himself from all the killings, attempted killings and
the severed ear.
225. The applicants (with the exception of Diederichs who was convicted of culpable
homicide) were convicted of the four murders and six attempted murders and
sentenced in the Supreme Court. Some of the applicants were also convicted
on charges of assault and/or theft, arising from the theft of a leather jacket,
radio cassettes and equipment taken from the victims’ cars. With the exception
Van der Schyff, who did not apply for amnesty for theft, all the applicants
applied for amnesty in respect of all the offences of which they were convicted.
226. Two AWB members, Mr Myburgh and Brigadier Kriel, testified on behalf of the
applicants. Neither had first-hand knowledge of the incident or the ord e r s
allegedly given by Oelofse.
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