Human Rights Violation Hearings — East London — 1996-04-18

MR SANDI: Had the people who heard this, because you sent the child to school and then he got injured as you have explained, then you were expected to make arrangements for the funeral?  When you made these funeral arrangements, were there any problems that you encountered.

UNKNOWN: Yes we collected money, we did everything that is expected when making arrangements for a funeral.

MR SANDI: Were there any problems that you encountered.

UNKNOWN: No.

MR SANDI: With whom was he staying where he was accommodated?

UNKNOWN: There were two ladies, they were just hiring their house to anybody who needed it.

MR SANDI: Is this a room that they rented inside or outside the premises?

UNKNOWN: No they were separate houses.  My son was staying alone because there was nobody else that I was shown. This aged woman just said to me that that is where my son was staying.

MR SANDI: You said there was nothing which was.... (end of side A of tape 18)
(side B)....didn't find anything, they said nothing was tangible that a finger could be pointed at but, they were people from Port Alfred.

MR SANDI: One of your children attended?

UNKNOWN: No my son was at work.  This lady who is next to me is not her.

MR SANDI: Did you go to any attorney?

UNKNOWN: No we didn't.

MR SANDI: So you just did this on your own?
EAST LONDON  HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE
7 N E MATA

UNKNOWN: Yes we did.  My family went to attend the court, they didn't hear anything that was worth listening to.  so we never followed this case up.

MR SANDI: If I understand you well, you request that the Commission should be able to make through investigations to establish exactly what happened to your son?  Is that so?

UNKNOWN: Yes it is so.

MR SANDI: Do you have anything further that you would like to discuss in connection with this?

UNKNOWN: Yes, I would like the Commission should assist me so that we can make something worthy and dignified for Thembisile.

MR SANDI: You say your son was a member of which organisation? Was it the Azanian People's Organisation, AZAPO?

UNKNOWN: Yes he was.

MR SANDI: Did they come to you after this terrible incident? Did you ask AZAPO?

UNKNOWN: Yes.

MR SANDI: Did they come to explain what happened to you?

UNKNOWN: Yes there were a few young who came after the funeral.  They said they'd come to request Thembisile's photo, because they said it was wanted by the senior officials in the organisation. So we said we don't have any photograph.

MR SANDI: When was this?

UNKNOWN: It was after the funeral.

MR SANDI: What did they want the photo for?

UNKNOWN: I cannot say.  But they just said it was wanted by the senior officials. I said he didn't have any
EAST LONDON  HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE
8 N E MATA
photograph.

MR SANDI: I realise that in your explanation you state that Thembisile has a daughter, Ayanda Ntwisha who is doing standard three?

UNKNOWN: Yes.

MR SANDI: Where is she now?

UNKNOWN: She's staying with her biological mother, at K Street, but she's attending school at Josa in Grahamstown. At times he just visits us and during vacations he always visits our family.

MR SANDI: Thank you very much Mrs.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much. Are there people who would like to ask questions?

WENDY ORR: I just have one question for you if I might Mrs Mata and that is you said something about wanting something dignified, maybe I haven't understood the interpretation.  What did you mean by something dignified for your son, can you explain to me please?

UNKNOWN: I didn't understand your question.

WENDY ORR: When we asked you what you wanted us as a Commission to do for you, the first thing you said is that you wanted something dignified, something special for your son.  Can you explain to me a little bit more what that is?

UNKNOWN: Yes I can. I should have some money so that I can make a dignified funeral for my child.

WENDY ORR: Thank you very much.

DR BORAINE: Mrs Mata I want to take you back to the time when you went back to Port Alfred and you say that you, are you alright Mrs Mata?

UNKNOWN: I'm also receiving treatment because I was highly affected by what happened at the time.
EAST LONDON  HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE
9 N E MATA

DR BORAINE: Mrs Mata, can I go on?  You told us that your son Thembisile was burned to death in the shack?

UNKNOWN: Yes.

DR BORAINE: Was that the actual cause of death?

UNKNOWN: Yes.

DR BORAINE: Now you also say that the night before this happened he attended a public meeting. A meeting between two organisations. This was AZAPO and what was the other?

UNKNOWN: He was a member of AZAPO.  I've forgotten the other one but he was the AZAPO member.

DR BORAINE: And in your statement you have suggested that the other organisation was the UDF?

UNKNOWN: Yes it is so. Yes I've forgotten, it was UDF.

DR BORAINE: There was a lot of trouble at the meeting?

UNKNOWN: Yes it is so.

DR BORAINE: He was killed.  Yes the following day I learned that I must go to Port Alfred because he was dead.

DR BORAINE: Thank you very much.

CHAIRPERSON: Are there any people who would like to ask questions?  Mrs Mata we are very thankful that you could come here, we also appreciate what you have done today.  We are satisfied about the information that you gave us.  We would like to inform you that we are very sympathetic towards you, and would like you to realise that we know about these atrocities.  And also we trust that the Commission will be able to assist you and to listen to your plea because you have presented what we'd like to have. Thank you very much.