Human Rights Violation Hearings — Durban — 1996-08-28

WITNESS:   No, it was just NJ, that's it.  And that kombi stopped immediately, and Sifiso, with other boys - they were four in number - they were leading in front, and the rest were following behind them.  And they said when they stood to see what was happening four boers(?) came out, and one black man, and they did not ask a word, they started shooting.  They ran, trying to run as fast as their feet could carry them, and they went down the road, and that's where they tried to hide.  Sifiso was the one lying on top of the rest, because they fell down, and he was shot at the back.  And they stood up again, trying to run again, going across to the shacks, and one police came by the name of Justice, coming from Amanzimtoti.  They say that police ran after him until he found him.  He got hold of him, and they pulled him towards the forest, towards the bush.  And the lady of that house where he was found, and where the police tried to pull him - was trying to pull him, the lady from Mrs Ngcobo said she witnessed this.  The police took him into the forest and he cut his head off, and she witnessed this.  One boy who was with my son came to my place to report this at No 750, and when he was telling us this, that his head was cut off, I could not run to that scene.  But my son right next to me did run to see what was happening.  He found out that truly the head was cut off from his body, separated from the body, and the police were just surrounding the scene, and police vehicles were there parked.  According to my son he said - when he asked he was told that he was killed by IFP Inkatha because he had Mrs Nxenge's T-shirt on.  After that I went to consult my attorneys, and ... (intervention)

MRS GCABASHE: Just before we get there, I know this is painful, but I would like for you to tell us about Ma Ngcobo.  Is Ma Ngcobo still around?

WITNESS:   No, I wouldn't know, but usually when I pass there I see there that house, but I don't know whether she is still living in that house because she had to escape at some point in time.

MRS GCABASHE: She was occupying a shack at D Section?

WITNESS:   Yes, just towards the clinic.

MRS GCABASHE: Can you point that shack?

WITNESS:   Yes, I can.  I know it.  I can identify it.

MRS GCABASHE: These police, and the police by the name of Justice, as you say they were in private clothes.

WITNESS:   Yes, they had dungarees on.

MRS GCABASHE: Where were they coming from if you may happen to know?

WITNESS:   I just heard that they were coming from Amanzimtoti, because I did get hold of one who told me that they were working and coming from Amanzimtoti.

MRS GCABASHE: All of them?

WITNESS:   Yes, all of them.

MRS GCABASHE: Now go on and tell us and relate this story.

WITNESS:  Some boys told me there that he was coming from Amanzimtoti, because the other black police they did know him.  They knew that he was coming from A, but working at Amanzimtoti.

MRS GCABASHE: What was his name?

WITNESS:   Yes, they did say his name, you know, but I don't remember quite well.

MRS GCABASHE: The boys who were with your boy, are they still alive?

WITNESS:   Yes. What are their names?   ---   The one I remember very well is Bongani, who was the one who came to report the matter?

MRS GCABASHE: What was Bongani's surname?  What is Bongani's surname?

WITNESS:   It's Bongani Khuzwayo.

MRS GCABASHE: Others, who were others?

WITNESS:   Well, I don't remember others.  I know the late - my son knew them very well.  They were close.

MRS GCABASHE: Yes, is Bongani still around?

WITNESS:   Yes, Bongani is still around.  I was with him last week as a matter of fact.

MRS GCABASHE: We would like to get it from him, you know, the horse's mouth.  Can we have a way of talking to him?

WITNESS:  Yes, even though I don't know his place now, but I think son seated right next to me will know where to get him.

MRS GCABASHE: Was there any case that was conducted regarding the killing of your son?

WITNESS:   Yes, I did give so much evidence, and when I tried to ask other people to give evidence they said they were scared, they were afraid, they cannot risk this.  That was detrimental to them.  I think my son knows even the police, the detective.

MRS GCABASHE: Did you go to the police station to report this matter also, so was there any case that was officially opened besides your trying around to get evidence?

WITNESS:  No.

MRS GCABASHE: Did you say something about the doctor, or did you take - have any report from the doctors?

WITNESS:   When I was taking him from the hospital to the mortuary I was with another girl, and they took him out and they put him on top of the table, and this girl kept turning him around, and was writing what happened to him, writing everything in detail.  That was the girl doing that.

MRS GCABASHE: But you were never called after that?

WITNESS:   No, we were never called.  This happened in 1992, but to date we haven't heard anything.

MRS GCABASHE: Well, you have said what you said, and we heard and understood.  Things that we happening those days, we do trust and hope that they won't occur again.  What I would like for you to do is for you to tell me about your family.  Where are other children?

WITNESS:   God blessed me with 12 children.  Three of them passed away.  Sifiso is my grandchild.  My daughter got married and left Sifiso at home.  Usually I just take him as one of my sons, but he is my grandchild.  He was the 13th one.  Now he was the 10th one.  I have nine children who are still alive.

MRS GCABASHE: Can you say how many girls, how many boys?

WITNESS:   I have five girls and four boys.

MRS GCABASHE: Do you have - are there any who still go to school, who are still schooling?

WITNESS:   No.  They all completed last year.  Sifiso was in standard six during the year he died on.  There is another girl who was supposed to come here to give evidence to the Truth Commission, but she could not make it, because she is the one who was so traumatised.

MRS GCABASHE: Is she your child?

WITNESS:   Yes, she is my eighth child.  She is Innocent Mabaso, her name.  Since 1985 Innocent was one of the UDF supporters in UDF.

MRS GCABASHE: What are they?

WITNESS:   Supporters, UDF supporters. As Mr Khumalo had already said before they were together with his child, and my husband died around that time as well.  I went through so much pain because of all the things that took place.  The way things happened about Innocent, in 1985 Innocent left in November 18th.  She disappeared, we did not know her whereabouts.  After her disappearance we were still wondering what had happened.  In 1985 I got a telephone call from Shifa and they said Innocent was looking for me, wanted to speak to me.  I went to there, going to the attorney to report this matter, and the attorney said, "Because you won't be welcomed ..." (intervention)

MRS GCABASHE: Please tell us about this attorney.  What is his name?

WITNESS:   I have forgotten his name, but he was an elderly person.  You know, I have forgotten most of the things here.

MRS GCABASHE: Was he black or white?