Wiped clean from the SAPS archives

On 9 July 1987, 20-year old South African youth activist Ashley Kriel, was killed by police for his role in advocating anti-apartheid actions.

In a bid to learn more about the events that led to his killing, SAHA submitted a PAIA request on behalf of a documentary film maker to the South African Police Service. The request was for:

Any and all records related to Ashley Kriel including but not limited to:

• Ashley Kriel inquest records including but not limited to: all testimony and all supporting documentation including annexures, photograph files, mortuary reports and post mortem results.
• All police documentation relating to Ashley Kriel's activities, including the official Security Police file on Ashley Kriel or if same was destroyed, documentation regarding its destruction.
• All police documentation relating to Ashley Kriel's death, including the official Security Police file on Ashley Kriel or if same was destroyed, documentation regarding its destruction
• List of security policemen based in Bonteheuwel and surrounding areas during the period 1984-1989
• Jeffrey Benzien's police service record.

SAHA recently received a response to the request from SAPS who have indicated that none of the requested records could be found.  

The absence of these records, that would have clearly existed at one time, is proof of the systematic destruction of records evidencing human rights abuses by the apartheid government. The destruction of such records means that many South African families, including Ashley Kriel's, will never know the full story of what happened to their loved ones.

SAHA has requested that SAPS provide an affidavit or affirmation detailing all steps taken to find the records, as required by PAIA.