Parties: Government of the Republic of South Africa; African National Congress (ANC)
Type: Intra-state
The Parties to the Groote Schuur Minute expressed their commitment to stability and to a peaceful process of negotiations. The Parties agreed to the establishment of a working group to make recommendations on a definition of political offences in the South African situation, and to advise on norms and mechanisms for dealing with the release of political prisoners and the granting of immunity in respect of political offences to those inside and outside South Africa. The Parties agreed to temporary immunity from prosecution of political offences committed before that day, which would be considered on an urgent basis for members of the National Executive Committee and selected other members of the ANC from outside the country, to enable them to return and help with the establishment and management of political activities, to assist in bringing violence to an end and to take part in peaceful political negotiations. The Government undertook to review existing security legislation to ensure normal and free political activities.
The Parties to the Pretoria Minute agreed with the report on political offences, and agreed that the guidelines to be formulated would be applied in dealing with members of all organisations. The Parties instructed the Working Group to draw up a plan for the release of ANC-related prisoners and the granting of indemnity to people in a phased manner. Both Parties once more committed themselves to do everything in their power to bring about a peaceful solution as quickly as possible and agreed that it was vital that understanding should grow among all sections of the South African population that problems can and should be solved through negotiations. The Government would give immediate consideration to repealing all provisions of the Internal Security Act and would continue reviewing security legislation.