The Wynberg 7

In October 1985, at the age of 16, Igshaan attended a student rally at Wynberg High School with many of his fellow comrades. During the rally the police dispersed them and they all marched up Park Road towards Batts Road in Wynberg. When they approached the intersection, they were surrounded by police and Security Police in Casspirs. Igshaan remembers throwing a petrol bomb under an unmarked powder blue Ford Escort police vehicle from behind a wall at the Luxurama next to the house they ended up in where they were arrested. As the police stormed them a group of about thirty ran into the house of friends of his – the Pandy’s. The police surrounded the house, entered and arrested ten of them before being taken to Wynberg police station.

After a lengthy trial of lies and deceit, they got charged and 7 of them, 5 men and 2 women, were sentenced to imprisonment of which Igshaan was the youngest political prisoner at that time to be sent to Pollsmoor Prison. During the trial they became known as the Wynberg 7 with support coming from across the world. They appealed their sentence but lost their appeal in May 1987 whereafter they started serving their sentence on Monday 8 June 1987. Their arrest was on the same day the Trojan Horse Massacre took place in Athlone.

Who are the Wynberg 7?

Igshaan Amlay –  sentenced to 1 year imprisonment suspended for 5 years. He was released after a year of imprisonment. Igshaan is single, was never married and has no children. He works in the Advertising and Tourism sectors and is also very active in the previously disadvantaged communities. He is self-employed and resides in Simonstown.

Venetia De Klerk –  sentenced to 1 year imprisonment suspended for 5 years. She was released after a year of imprisonment. She was never married, has a daughter and resides in Cape Town. She was recently retrenched and is currently unemployed.

Dee Dicks – sentenced to 1 year imprisonment suspended for 5 years. She was released after a year of imprisonment. She is married, has no children and resides in Gauteng. She is currently working for the municipality.

Shouket Enous – sentenced to 1 year imprisonment suspended for 5 years. He was released after a year of imprisonment. He unfortunately became mentally unstable due to his imprisonment and is currently under the care of a mental institution. Shouket is single, was never married and has no children. He is currently staying in his family home and is unemployed.

Wayne Jordaan – sentenced to 3 years imprisonment suspended for 5 years. He served just over a year. Wayne is single with no children, was never married, resides in Cape Town and is currently unemployed.

Nasir Masoet –  sentenced to 1 year imprisonment suspended for 5 years. He was released after a year of imprisonment. Nasir is single, was married, has a son and currently lives in King Williams Town.

Julian Stubbs – sentenced to 1 year imprisonment suspended for 5 years. He was released after a year of imprisonment. Julian is married with 2 sons, currently works for an Investment company and resides in Cape Town.