Human Rights Violation Hearings — Worcester — 1996-06-25

MR MRUBATA: Yes I have a bullet in my body.  Then I could accept then what the doctor said, I came back to  Zwelethemba, it was in 1986 I could realise that I had bedsores because I couldn't stand up anymore.  I was informed that I could die due to these bedsores.  
This affected me again because I was worried because it was due to the police and the vigilantes that I am now  a cripple.  In 1990/1  - I was at my place and then the other day I was taken to Donges Hospitaal.  I lost the hips and I think the sockets were affected and then I had to be amputated, I came back and I went to school.
When I learnt about the Truth Commission I felt that I would never rest until I get something out of the case because I lodged a complaint.  I realised that I won't concentrate because in November I couldn't write my examinations and then that is why I felt that I won't go to school I will try and make investigations.
I learnt from Father Michael who used to visit me at the hospital I also asked him how can I do - what can I do so that there is a follow up about my case.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Is it Michael Lapsey ?

MR MRUBATA: Yes, it is Michael Lapsey.  It was I realised that I had to make a telephone call, Ms Dyalivane assisted me with the telephone because I phoned one lady, Zine Duzwa.  She stated that it was not end of the road that the hearings of the Commission all in Cape Town.  
I  phoned again to make inquiries when can we also get the opportunity to go to the Truth Commission,  [indistinct]  informed me that I can use this telephone number and I was connected to Noby Ngombane.  After the hearings in Cape Town I phoned another gentleman, Mr Brown and then I was informed that there were people who were taking statements and then I was one of them - I was one of the people who went to submit the statement so that I can also give evidence to the Commission. 
I didn't give them my medical scheme card.  There  were other ladies last - a week before and another Coloured gentleman who came to my place I gave them my medical scheme card so that I can get assistance.  What I would like to be assisted with, if the Truth Commission can be capable of doing so.   I would like to get medical attention - further medical attention because I have a problem.   I'm suppose to undergo two operations because I have a problem.  I still have bedsores again.
At times I get a swelling at my scrotum but the doctors say they cannot assist me with that  until I heal - the bedsores get healed. So those are most of the things that bothering me and I think if I can meet the specialist I can be helped.
I think I'll also like assisted because the place in which I'm living is not suitable for habitation of a human being, I cannot get all the needs met.  If I wake up I am unable to be independent and wash myself independently, I'm unable to go and get into the bath like other people.  I would like something to be clarified.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Could you please inform us how did you get injured?  As the police said here's this dog from Worcester, what did they mean those vigilantes?   We would to get clarity about that?

MR MRUBATA: I can state as follows, I'm am not quite sure and give specific reasons for their behaviour.   I was an active person, when I got at Zolani I showed the people that I am a person who was prepared to do everything for the struggle, I was committed to the struggle.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Why were they always after you ?

MR MRUBATA: What I can say is that I was always with other colleagues who would go maybe in sixes, eight's or tens operating in the community with all other comrades from Zolani.   What I can say is that they didn't even quite know what I was doing because I was - it's still new in the vicinity, they knew me  to be coming from Zwelethemba and that was the place where the police were always patrolling.
They - maybe they thought that I'm more influential and I've come to organise,  so that is my feeling probably they tried to prohibit our progress.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: I want you to clarify to the people and tell them by the time the vigilantes were starting to operate, was Zolani a quiet place and Zwelethemba where you used to come from was the one area that was always in violence.  So is the Zolani the one that begins the situation.
So what I'd like to know from you, is that by the time you were in Zolani the student activities - the situation from the students activities?

MR MRUBATA: When I got there I didn't participate much in the school activities because you always had to be amongst students and I realised that if I could do that I won't be able to get  much.  The other thing I realised that if you get involved with the school activities you draw the attention of the police very quickly so that is why I felt that I should work more with the community.  
There were some colleagues who were not attending school, is not because  they did not want to attend school is just that they were afraid to attend school because of the situation which was prevalent at that time.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: I'll ask you a last question, Ntando.  You stated here while the vigilantes were operating  you see no policemen by the time the vigilantes shot you, you were taken to hospital and when you regained consciousness you were under the police guard.  
Can you please try and explain to us how did it happen being shot by the vigilantes that went under the police guard ?

MR MRUBATA: As I learnt from others in the beginning I think I should start by saying when I regained consciousness I saw the police.  So as I learnt from others it was said that after I was shot there  were some comrades who pressurised the Amasolomzi  or vigilantes to get into the house and then they asked them questions.
That is where there was burning of the houses and then the police came in during that time.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Who was burning the places?

MR MRUBATA: It is the comrades.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Were they burning the places of vigilantes after you have been shot?

MR MRUBATA: Yes, I was informed whilst I was in hospital.  I was not there at that time and the fact that there were police in hospital I did not bother myself because I knew that it was not the police who shot me.  Even during the time I was transferred to Conradie, I didn't see any police I was not even under police guard until I made a claim but this was unsuccessful.  
So the involvement of the police is not quite clear with me because I just met them in hospital in the first hospital when they were chased away by the doctor.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: According to your case whom did you state?

MR MRUBATA: The person I mentioned is Panie Klaas.  The person who was driving the van was also - was Klaas Lusizi.  There were other vigilantes who were nearby,  Kokoloi and others but people who was responsible and those who were responsible who  instigated this violence was Lusizi.  I do not know  why he arrested one of the community members there and that is where the whole situation started to be volatile.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Your case is being listed in the police book that was found out by our investigators from the Department of Investigation.  We thank you very much Ntando - I'll pass -  I'll give it to the Chairman.
Is there any questions, Mr Denzil - thank you.

ADV POTGIETER: You've said that  [indistinct]

MR MRUBATA: Yes sir.

ADV POTGIETER: Where did you do that?

MR MRUBATA: Di Bishop assisted me and it  was at Mellanicks.

ADV POTGIETER: The attorneys in Cape Town.

MR MRUBATA: Yes the lawyers in Cape Town.

ADV POTGIETER: Did the case go to court ?

MR MRUBATA: Yes, it did it was in Supreme Court.

ADV POTGIETER: In Cape Town

MR MRUBATA: Yes - yes it was in Cape Town - it was unsuccessful.

ADV POTGIETER: [indistinct] that it was unsuccessful.