Human Rights Violation Hearings — Port Elizabeth — 1996-06-26

THEMBA MANGQASE: I'd like also to thank the Commission for the opportunity that I got.  I would like to thank the people who are here.
 What Tango is saying is true because I also went to Masangwana on that day.  There was an argument because Topsy PORT ELIZABETH HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE
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wanted them to show him the direction of Lulu's place because he didn't know the direction.
 I got there during that argument and it was suggested that I should accompany him.  We went together using Topsy's car.  When we got there we found Siphiwo, there together with Lulu.  They were having supper.
 We got in, there was something which Topsy directed to Siphiwo just as we were getting into the house.  Siphiwo responded by saying, he used to call Topsy by his clan name and said Jwaga.  
 He said Jwaga you must not repeat the same thing that you did yesterday, I don't want to go to that place that you want to take me to.  He didn't go further and state where were they the day before.
 Topsy persuaded him to go outside so that they could discuss this out of the house.  We were left behind with Lulu.  They had a long discussion outside.
 I forgot something.  Topsy had Siphiwo's tracksuit, I don't know where he got it, but the top was red, black and white.  So they got into the house again and they were going together.
 I said they should give my regards to the people at Masangwana and then I went back to Masangwana.  We went along the Gamlana street, we went to the Agree streets, towards Rio.  Next to Rio Siphiwo asked a question and he directed it to me.  He asked me am I coming along, I said no, I won't be coming along with them because I was tired.
 We were from Durban.  Toqi, Topsy and Robbie, we had been in a meeting in Durban so we were travelling by Topsy's car so another journey to me was not appealing, really.
 So I felt that I wanted to rest, so they promised to 
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drop me to my destination.  So I said they can just drop me on the street, then they dropped me on the corner Jacqisa and Feather street.
 Siphiwo said to me, please Themba you mustn't lock the door because I'll be coming back.  I'll put up at your place for the night.  At times we used to sleep together and then he promised that he would be coming back.
 So we didn't lock the door as we were waiting for him.  The following day we realised that he didn't come back the previous night.  I just thought to myself that as they were staying together in the direction of Zweti, I thought that maybe they came back from the place where they went to and then they went to Zweti.
 I learnt about his disappearance late in the afternoon and I was informed that Siphiwo never reached his home.  I gathered this information when there were queries and enquiries about Siphiwo's whereabouts.
 That was the last time that I heard about Siphiwo, thank you.

DESMOND MPILO TUTU: Mama, and all of you, we would like to thank you very much.  The Commission stated some time back that they want to give everybody an opportunity to give account of their stories no matter how painful.
 You know what happened to you, but we were determined that we are going to make a follow up until you also get an opportunity like everybody else.
 The Commission is determined that it is going to fulfil its work and its determination as ordered by our President.
 We have been ordered to listen to all the stories as many as possible so that we can have a good and clear picture of the atrocities which took place at the time 
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during the old regime.
 You know how you were prohibited from doing so, we have already stated that the world is watching us.  There are really focusing to our meeting today and I am glad to say they will never be disappointed by the Truth Commission because today we have fulfilled our promise that we will come back so that you can get an opportunity.
 We heard your story, you presented it in a very dignified manner.  We were really moved by your story.  Everybody could remember and we were all reminded by the trials and tribulations which took place in our country.
 And you reminded the majority of the people of all the pains that we have gone through.  Almost everybody was exposed to the same pain and problems.
 This Commission has been given a task to look into the tortures, the people who have been degraded, the people who were neglected and nobody cared for them.
 This Commission is given a task also to develop the people.  Your dignity has been wonderful to behold.
 We don't know whether the requests that you have placed in front of us, whether we will be able to fulfil them, however, we've said this several times that those people who have been talking on television, revealing whatever revelations they made, we will call them.  We will call them again and say come and talk to us.
 And those who in the mean time are being prevented from coming, don't worry, they will come.  We will listen to their testimonies.  The truth will be investigated.  
 We pray to God to strengthen you as He had looked after you all these years and with all this pain and burden, He should give you strength and courage, He should be through 
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his Spirit, He should anoint and bandage your wounds.
 They will heal.  We've always been saying that things will come right one day, things will come right one day.  Thank you.