Johannes van der Merwe and others
20 August 2007
On 17 August 2007, the High Court of South Africa decided to accept a plea
and sentencing agreement between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and
Johannes Velde van der Merwe, Adriaan Johannes Vlok, Christoffel Lodewikus
Smith, Gert Jocobus Louis Hosea Otto and Hermanus Johannes van Staden (herein
after referred to as the parties).
Following the conclusion of the court process, the parties, except for Van
Staden, had a meeting (on 20 August 2007) with Frank Chikane to express their
heartfelt remorse and to apologise for their role in the attempted poisoning of
the Reverend.
Chikane unreservedly accepted their apology and agreed with the parties that
the manner in which the case was concluded sets an important example for South
Africans in similar situations to volunteer information in order to heal the
nation, advance reconciliation and deepen social cohesion.
Finally, they all emphasised the critical importance of dealing with the
past in order to guarantee a better South Africa in future.
For further information, contact:
Prince Mashele
Tel: 012 300 5323
Cell: 084 431 4494
Issued by: The Presidency
20 August 2007
