Human Rights Violation Hearings — Klerksdorp — 1996-09-25

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: It was business property and even the vans and the lorries, because if you are a student you are oppressed to do something. If you don't do it, you were hated.  So we were forced to do that.  In other words, I was saying why are you doing this, and they were saying we are fighting apartheid.  So we didn't say no, it is not proper, because at that time when you say it is not proper, they will promise you a necklace.

PROF MEIRING: Were you intimidated into doing these things?

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: Yes, the reason is we were from the farms and then we came to the villages.  We were afraid of those youth who were staying at the location.  At times we would give in, at times we would run away.

PROF MEIRING: Thank you very much.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Mogapi, when this incident took place, how long have you been in this township?

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: It was just a year, it was in 1984.

THOMAS MANTHATA: You didn't join COSAS voluntarily, it was because of the pressure?

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: Yes, things were not comfortable in those days. If you didn't join the COSAS, you were likely to be a target.

THOMAS MANTHATA: In other words, because of the fear you didn't even make enquiries as to how many of your members were killed?

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: There were such people that were shot like I was.
KLERKSDORP HEARING TRC/GAUTENG
7 M P MOGAPI

THOMAS MANTHATA: I am saying how did you perceive this thing, because you were, you joined COSAS because of the pressure, you didn't do it voluntarily.

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: We were actually fighting apartheid, we didn't want a Black person to be oppressed and I moved along with those principles.

THOMAS MANTHATA: The doctor that examined you, is it the doctor that said the tear gas poisoned you or did he say something got into your body which was allergic?

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: Yes, he said something allergic got into my body, but he didn't say it was tear gas.

THOMAS MANTHATA: He didn't specifically say that?

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: No, he didn't.  He said it was something like smoke.

THOMAS MANTHATA: I thank you.

DR RANDERA: Mr Molapisi, thank you for coming. I know that you were reluctant to come to today, for different reasons. I hope that coming has helped and that you found that telling your story hasn't been so frightening after all.  We also note in your statement, particularly, that you stated that you feel ashamed of yourself because of the stroke, and also how the stroke has "murdered", to quote you, happiness in your life.  There is no doubt that the - and we have taken about 7 000 statements in the country so far, and most of these, the people who are coming forward, are young people like yourself. You have been the casualties of our political turmoil.   We would like to say to you don't feel ashamed of what you did.  It is the contribution of young people like yourselves that has allowed us this opportunity today to have a Truth Commission in this country.  And that those ideas that you expressed to Mr Manthata so clearly
KLERKSDORP HEARING TRC/GAUTENG
8 M P MOGAPI
just now, it burnt in your chest in those turbulent times of the eighties, should be rekindled, it shouldn't be something you are ashamed of. So that you too can play a meaningful role in rebuilding our nation.   Thank you for coming.

MOLAPISI PETRUS MOGAPI: Thank you, Sir.  I also thank you.
KLERKSDORP HEARING TRC/GAUTENG