Human Rights Violation Hearings — Soweto — 1996-07-25

CHAIRPERSON: I request Nomsa Shabalala to come forward, please, or Mrs Shabalala to come forward, please, the next witness.
 Are any of our briefers or clergy that are assisting us, assisting Mr and Mrs Sono? Okay.  They need to be protected from the Press, please.
 Mamma Shabalala, I would like you to stand up so that you can take the oath.

NOMSA SHABALALA: (Duly sworn, states).

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, you may be seated. I would like you to tell the Commission who you are and where you are coming from.

MS SHABALALA: I am Mrs Shabalala, the mother of Sibonisa Shabalala, I am from Meadowlands 33/65, Zone 10.

CHAIRPERSON: Where do you work?

MRS SHABALALA: I am not working.

CHAIRPERSON: Is there any political organisation which you are affiliated to?

MRS SHABALALA: No.

CHAIRPERSON: Can you please explain to us about your statement, the one that you brought forward before the Commission.

MRS SHABALALA: As I am today I am here to give testimony about my first-born, Sibonisa Shabalala.
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 In 1988 on the 13th of November, Bonisa came into my house and I wasn't at home.  They found Bonisa's brother.

CHAIRPERSON: Before that, we would like you to explain to us how was your son or whether he was a member of an organisation or just in school?

MRS SHABALALA: No, as far as I know, I didn't know whether he was a member of an organisation. All I knew is that he liked soccer, but I didn't know how much he liked soccer.  But I know he had a nickname which they called him, Makanda.

CHAIRPERSON: Is there any team which he played for?

MRS SHABALALA: No, it was just teams, kids' teams.

CHAIRPERSON: Please proceed, Mamma.

MRS SHABALALA: On the 13th of November on a Sunday, I was in church.  When I came home at about six o'clock, I was from Natal.  When I came home at about six o'clock, the father told me that there came three boys and when they came here they said they are looking for Sibonisa and Lolo Sono.  These kids had a box of matches, they had his name and his address, Lolo's name and address.  Then my husband told them that Sibonisa wasn't home and then they left.
 When they came back, Sibonisa's father attended to them and asked them why they are there.  They said they are looking for Sibonisa.  Sibonisa's father said why are you looking for him so much, would you please leave your telephone numbers and these boys said no, they will come back.
 When they came back at about seven o'clock, he explained everything to me, about the boys who came looking for Sibonisa and that they didn't look like good boys.  When he was trying to explain to me, we heard a knock at the door, and these three boys came in.  My husband said to them SOWETO HEARING TRC/GAUTENG
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- said to me actually, here are the boys who have been looking for Sibonisa. He said to them please sit down and explain to us why are you here, this is Sibonisa's mother and I am Sibonisa's father.  These boys said no, we are looking for Sibonisa; Sibonisa didn't mention to you that he was leaving today.  So my husband said no, where?  They said he is crossing the country.  I said to these boys he is crossing, what do you mean when you say he is crossing, where is he going.  They said he is going to Winnie, Winnie's place and then these boys left.
 After they had left we were worried, we wanted to know where was Sibonisa now.  At about 10 o'clock Sibonisa's father left and went up to Lolo's house.  He explained everything to Lolo's father and Lolo's father said to my husband they have already taken Lolo and they have already beaten him, and it looks like I am doubting his health now, because he is really bad, and when Sibonisa comes will you please warn him not to follow Lolo, because they might do the same to him.  
 Sibonisa came home at about 11 o'clock.  I asked Sibonisa where he was from.  Sibonisa explained that his friend had a 21st birthday party and his father explained to Sibonisa.  
 I asked Sibonisa myself, what do you know about Winnie.  But Sibonisa was one boy who was quiet and then he said to me mom, I don't know that much.  I asked him when they come here, what are you going to do?  He said to me I have to go where they have taken Lolo, because if I don't go there all of you will die here.    When I askeld why he didn't explain to me. He went to bed, we went to sleep.
 In the morning we woke up, we went to work. His father
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left for work. I was still working myself.  I went to work. When I came back, Sibonisa wasn't there. When we realised that he wasn't there, we were surprised.  We waited for him.  Bonisa's father left for Lolo's house and he explained to Lolo's father.  Both of them, Sibonisa's father and Lolo's father left for the police station to report the matter.
 When they reported the matter the police just took a statement and that was the end of it.  It meant that Sibonisa disappeared on the 14th.  After two days, on the 16th, six o'clock we received a telephone call.  When we received the telephone call the kids said to me it is Sibonisa over the phone.  When I went there he said Mamma, I am here with Lolo and the telephone went dead.  He didn't say anything, because it seemed like he had hanged up.  
 I phoned Mr Shabalala.  Mr Shabalala went back to the police station.  He explained the matter to them, to the police said we don't put us there, we don't talk stories about your kids, because your kids are naughty.
 In 1989 reporters came from Sowetan newspapers. They asked me about Sibonisa.  When I explained to him, they asked for his photograph.  At the police station they called Mr Shabalala at work, they needed his photograph.  Later, after a long time, the month, I am not sure whether February  or March, we bought a newspaper.  We read a story about Stompie.  When we saw that story we realised that Stompie was one of the boys who was playing for the Mandela Football Club.  Because also our sons were there, even though they didn't tell us, we saw that on the paper.  We realised that also our kids were one of those boys who belonged to the Mandela Football Club. 
 I am not sure in which year, but Dempsey came to our 
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home, he called Mr Shabalala and Mr Sono.  He told them there was a case and they found people from Thokoza, people from most of the surrounding areas of Johannesburg, and Mr Shabalala didn't say anything.  That was the end of the story.
 After a long time, it was in 1995 now.  On the 12th of August Mr Shabalala died.  After he died in August, September, October, on the 5th of October, in the morning ...  (PAUSE).

CHAIRPERSON: Please take your time.  We will wait for you, please take your time, Mrs Shabalala.  Please take your time, relax.