Human Rights Violation Hearings — Port Elizabeth — 1996-06-27

CHAIRPERSON: We would like to call a person whom I think will be the last witness, Mamkeli Jonas.  Mamkeli Jonas, would you please come forward.
 Please be patient people, we are about to finish.  I would like us to remember that when we are leaving this room, or this hall, we should please ... (tape starts)

MR JONAS: No, I cannot remember  any.  What I remember is that my mother was once called here at New Brighton.

PANEL MEMBER: As I understand she went to court?

MR JONAS: I remember that my mother said he was given R800-00.

PANEL MEMBER: What was the money for?

MR JONAS: It was said it is the money to compensate the death of my father.

PANEL MEMBER: Who gave her the money?

MR JONAS: I don't know, it was said it was just an offer.

PANEL MEMBER: Was it the policeman or the Magistrate who gave him the money?

MR JONAS: There was a cheque and then he was given and said she must go and do transactions at the bank.

PANEL MEMBER: How many are you?

MR JONAS: We were four when my father died, but we had other half-sisters and brothers, two of them because my mother was the second wife to my father.

PANEL MEMBER: Is your mother still alive?
PORT ELIZABETH HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE
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MR JONAS: Yes, my mother is still alive.

PANEL MEMBER: What would you like the Commission to do for you if it was capable of doing anything?

MR JONAS: I'd like the Truth Commission to assist me and to support us because my father used to maintain us.
 I would like the Truth Commission to replace our father.

PANEL MEMBER: Don't you wish that we should make investigations about your father's death?

MR JONAS: Yes, I wish that investigations would be made to find out why was he killed and who killed him.

PANEL MEMBER: Is there anything that you would like us to look into or consider?

MR JONAS: No, I don't have any other stories.

PANEL MEMBER: I am handing over to you Mr Chairperson.
 I would like us not to spoil this discipline that we have maintained and the dignity that we have maintained for this time.
 I had already prepared some few words so as to thank the community of Port Elizabeth, please do not make me, or tempt me to withdraw the words that I have already prepared.
 I said the people who would like to go, should do that in dignity as usual when somebody is leaving the church and the court before it adjourns.
 I've already handed over sir, to you.

CHAIRPERSON: Dr Ramashala?

MAPULE RAMASHALA: Now, are you in school, are you working, you're not doing anything?

MR JONAS: No, I am not doing anything.

MAPULE RAMASHALA: ... about your mother?

MR JONAS: No, my mother is suffering from tuberculosis.
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MAPULE RAMASHALA: Brothers and sisters?

MR JONAS: Some of my siblings are attending school.

MAPULE RAMASHALA: How old are they?  Start with the older.

MR JONAS: The other one was born in 1975, he is my younger brother.   He is a boy.

INTERPRETER: The interpreter cannot hear.  The interpreter cannot hear.

MAPULE RAMASHALA: What does she do?

MR JONAS: She is attending school, she is doing standard 5.

MAPULE RAMASHALA: What year?

MR JONAS: She is doing standard 2.

MAPULE RAMASHALA: Next one?  That's all?

MR JONAS: I don't know where are the other two.  Those belong to my stepmother.

CHAIRPERSON: Order please.

MR JONAS: When my father died, my stepmother took her siblings.  They are still younger than I am.

MAPULE RAMASHALA: How far did you go in school?

MR JONAS: I went as far as standard 5.

MAPULE RAMASHALA: Okay.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  As you can hear from the questions that you are being asked, there is an attempt to get enlightenment, clear enlightenment about your problems so that we can see what could be done about those problems.
 Now, we are releasing you, you are free to go.
 Now, we've come to the end and I would just like to say to the Bishop, the Chairperson of the Commission, Archbishop Tutu I think you would express the feeling that the people of Port Elizabeth showed it again that they cheer about issues that affect their people.
 This community has told us in the last few days as they PORT ELIZABETH HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE
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did before, they told us stories of the heroes and heroines of this area who are responsible for the relief that we are enjoying today from oppression in our struggle for liberation.
 In closing this ceremony I will ask Reverend Finca to say a few words.  Just a few closing remarks as the local Commissioner to whom we are indebted for the success that we have enjoyed.