of those responsible for the Mamelodi massacre of November 1985. According to the state, in June 1986 Potsane killed David Lukhele, a Kangwane bantustan official known for his campaign to have the bantustan incorporated into Swaziland. His sister-in-law was also killed in the attack. Masina and Masango were also convicted of these murders — the former was said to have been outside during the attack and the latter to have selected Lukhele as a target.
'Let it be remembered that the onslaught of Nazism ultimately left the people of Europe with no choice but to fight. In the same way, the onslaught of apartheid has ultimately left its victims in South Africa with no choice but to fight.'
Jabu Masina — statement to court, April 1989
Other actions for which the men were charged were a limpet mine explosion in Silverton and a landmine attack in Soshanguve, which caused injuries but no deaths. Makhura received his prison term for his involvement in these alone — the others each received 25-year terms in addition to the death sentences.
After conviction, the court divided on the question of extenuation. Justice de Klerk accepted that the men's military training under the ANC had reduced their moral culpability in so far as they believed themselves to be soldiers fighting for liberation. However, the two assessors, a retired magistrate and a retired official in the Department of Justice, found that there was insufficient evidence of the effect on the accused of any mitigating factors. By a majority verdict, therefore, the court found there was no extenuation and mandatory death sentences were passed.
