Human Rights Violation Hearings — Beaufort West — 1996-08-13

ADV POTGIETER: The police that are there now, is it the same police that were there in 1985?

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: There are new policemen but those who were there in 1985 are still there.

ADV POTGIETER: And nothing - nothing has happened to them at all - in spite of all this to you, the assaults that they - that were perpetrated on you and other people, even your son?

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: Nothing was done.

ADV POTGIETER: [indistinct] does Songezile when he was detained with you?

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: I wouldn't know because he is now 25 years old.

ADV POTGIETER: [indistinct] in 1985 - 11 years ago - so he is still very young.

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: Yes

ADV POTGIETER: Was he still at school?

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: Yes, he was still at school.

ADV POTGIETER: [indistinct]  because of a T-shirt?

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: I wouldn't say that was the only reason but because we're in fear we just felt that before we get to Middelburg, we should throw these T shirt away in case they were going to make thing worse.

ADV POTGIETER: Ms Qayi just one comment - Ms Qayi when I - before I finish off.  You said that when you talked about your detention you said that you were just an ordinary resident - you're not even involved in the - in the counsel - the committee but it's quite clear to me listening to you - looking at you that you are clearly a remarkable person.  
You've got a child at university - you went threw this experience and in spite of the must of been very intimidating circumstances where you were detained you still spoke out.  You clearly quite  [indistinct]  and quite brave and I would certainly not look at you as a - as a ordinary resident but thank you very much.

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: I also thank you.

MARY BURTON: Ms Qayi, I would also like to ask you just one or two more things.  Firstly you mentioned the names of some of the people who has arrested you, I think.  You mentioned Alfred from Richmond, is that right and - and another name of somebody from Murraysburg, I think you said.

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: Middelburg

MARY BURTON: From Middelburg, who was that?

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: Now the name is just flashing.

MARY BURTON: [indistinct]

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: Yes, it was Ticktick.

MARY BURTON: And he was from Middelburg?

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: Yes, he was from Middelburg, there was also Archie Dalihjong.

MARY BURTON: [indistinct] would also like to ask you it you can remember the date when - when you were detained?

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: I cannot recall.

MARY BURTON: The reason that I ask you is because in your original statement to us you said 1985 but our investigators have followed up the records and they say - they tell us that it was in 1986, so we can check that and get all the facts correctly.

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: I can't say that because we are not educated so some other times we don't make a difference between the years because we are old. It may happen that it was in 1986 from 1985.

MARY BURTON: That's fine, you don't need to worry about it, I'm just confirming to you that we have checked it up.  I also want to say like my college, Adv Potgieter, that you are obviously a very strong women and  where a leader in your community.  I'm glad that you have a strong faith to keep you going threw everything that you have experienced.  
And I hope that they - the tensions that are present in your neighborhood at the moment will soon be properly dealt with so that you can be more satisfied.  And so that you can begin the process of forgiving and reconciling in the future.  This is only the beginning of that time, we thank you very much for coming to tell us today about what happened to you, thank you.

NONIGHT ANNIE QAYI: Thank you ma'am.