CHAIRMAN: According to article 16(c), you are entitled to representation by a person in your department, and if no such person is available or suitable, by someone outside your department, are you aware of this right?
RADEBE: I am, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN: Do you waI've your right to representation?
RADEBE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN: According to article 15(1), you are required to prepare a written admission or rejection of the charge against you. Has this document, as submitted by you, been composed of your own free will?
RADEBE: It has, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN: Would you read it to this committee, please?
RADEBE: I Vincent Radebe, admit that my conduct and actions hindered and complicated an official operation of the Presidential Intelligence Unit.
I admit that through gross negligence I was responsible for the death of Mrs. Miriam Nzululwazi on 26 October of this year. I neglected to lock the door of the interview room, which resulted directly in Mrs. Nzululwazi?s leaving the room without escort and in a disturbed state of mind. Her fatal fall from the fire escape of the building was a direct result of my conduct.
I admit, further, that on the same day I unlawfully and without official sanction abducted the six-year-old son of Mrs. Nzululwazi and kept him at my abode overnight. I admit that on 27 October I handed over the boy Pakamile, to personnel of the
and thereby undermined an official operation of the Presidential Intelligence Unit.
I declare that I acted alone in both instances and wish to blame or involve no other person.
I wish to plead the following mitigating factors, Mr. Chairman: When I made my career choice on completion of my studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, it was my genuine desire to make a positI've contribution to this country. Like so many of my compatriots, I was inspired by the forgiving and positI've vision of Mr. Nelson Mandela. I also wished to dedicate my life to the building of the rainbow nation. The Presidential Intelligence Unit, in my opinion, presented me that opportunity But sometimes passion and dedication are not enough. Sometimes zeal blinds us to our own faults and shortcomings.
I understand that the protection of the state and the democracy sometimes demands difficult decisions and actions from its office bearers, actions whereby ordinary and innocent civilians are sometimes directly and negatI'vely affected.
I know now that I am not suited to this career? and never was. The incidents of 26, 27, and 28 October were extremely traumatic for me. I was deeply disturbed by the manner in which, in my opinion, the basic human rights of, first, Mr. Thobela Mpayipheli and later Mrs. Miriam Nzululwazi were infringed upon. Even now, as I read this document, I am unable to grasp how the purpose of the operation, however important or vital to national security it might have been, justified the means. My mistake, Mr. Chairman, was to allow my dismay to affect my good judgment. I was negligent when I should have been diligent. I regret deeply my part in Mrs. Nzululwazi?s death and particularly that I did not make a stronger stand or protest more vigorously through official channels. My greatest weakness was to doubt my own judgment of right and wrong. This country and its people deserve better than that, but I can assure you that that will never happen again.
That is all, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. Radebe. Do you agree that this document be recorded as written admission of the charge against you?
RADEBE: I agree.
CHAIRMAN: Have you any questions, Mrs. Mentz?
MENTz: I have, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN: Proceed.
MENTZ: Vincent, do you believe that part of, as you would call it, the building of the rainbow nation is to supply classified information to the intelligence services of other nations?
RADEBE: No, ma?am.
MENTZ: Then why did you?
RADEBE: I did no such thing.
MENTZ: Do you deny that that during the operation you supplied information to Muslim extremist groups?
RADEBE: I deny that emphatically
CHAIRMAN: Mrs. Mentz, do you have proof of these allegations?
MENTZ: Mr. Chairman, we have tangible evidence that key information was leaked to an international network of Muslim extremists. We cannot directly link Vincent with this process, but his undermining behavior speaks for itself.
CHAIRMAN: I have two problems here, Mrs. Mentz. First, Mr. Radebe has not been charged with high treason but with negligence. Second, your allegations rest on circumstantial evidence, which I cannot allow
MENTz: With respect, Mr. Chairman, I do not believe that leaving the interview room door unlocked was negligence. I believe it was deliberate.
CHAIRMAN: Your allegations must be proved, Mrs. Mentz.
MENTZ: The truth will out.
CHAIRMAN: Do you wish to submit evidence, Mrs. Mentz?
