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

MRS R TSHANGA: The reason for me to be emotional is because the Boers always harassed us and they would lie about us.  I couldn't tolerate the cries, I went to look what was happening and I found that there was a hippo, a rover, and I realised that Velapi, my brother,  has been taken away.
 They threw a tear gas canister into the van whilst my brother was inside.  I asked them why were they doing this and I was chased away.  Because I was afraid of them, I left.  Mikhisile Mukwe was a member of AZAPO, I believe he is still, he was also in the presence of the police.
 Velapi was taken away and after a few minutes, he was brought back again.  We went to Mrs Xodolise's place because
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there were comrades who were keeping vigil to the house.  I want to mention that there were so many that were arrested by the police from Walmer, some of the comrades went to Walmer.  I do not know who told the police, but they were able to go to Mrs Xodolise's place and you found that there were some of those I can quote as Sodoza and Duminiva and they harassed the comrades.
 So they had to leave the place as they were afraid of the police.  I'd like now to say something about my brother's story.
 I was still in bed and I could hear that there was a lot of noise next to my brother's place.  I was afraid to go out, but I looked through the window and I could see that there were people around his house.  It was not long and I heard his wife's crying and then he said I must come, my brother is being burnt.
 I became weak but at a later stage I went to assist him.  I could see that he was burnt.  I called the police and then a rover came.  They could see that there was something wrong.  They asked us what was it, we said we are the UDF members and they insulted us.
 The police went there, but I could see there was nothing wrong with him, they just damaged the property, but he was not burnt fortunately.  It was early in the morning then and then during this period the AZAPO members ran away, because it was now during the day.
 I was in my house, I heard that there were sounds of gun shot and I was afraid that those shots might be coming from my mother's house.  I am worried because a lot of people in my family were killed, my brother was the third one who was being harassed and attacked.
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 But you could realise that nothing was done about all these killings.
 When I heard the shots, it was about nine or ten, again his wife called me and I ran out.  My brother was a hefty man.  I could see that he was unable to walk and he was carried along by some of the youth.  We went to assist and support him.  We dragged him along because he was very heavy for us.
 I had to call the police so that they could help us.  I think there were over 20 cars that came and they came to my house.  I informed them what was happening and then they asked who was shooting my brother.  I said that I did not know, we just heard the gun shots.
 They also asked me to which organisation do I belong.  I stated that I was a UDF member.  During that period, Sipho who is a member of AZAPO, came along also.  Then my sister asked what did he want there.
 Then my husband was taken with the ambulance.  He was taken to the police station and then we were informed that the police were asking my husband to which organisation does he belong.  When they realised that he was a UDF member, they didn't continue to assist him.
 He was admitted in a hospital.  When he was discharged, we realised that he was limping now.  One leg was shorter than the other.  There were incidents later on.  My brother and my uncle were arrested.  I ... (tape starts) ... arrest them, stating that they were arrested for other cases.
 This happened for quite a long time.  They would go from different courts to different courts.  Once they went to Uitenhage.  The other day we were coming from court, we went to my place and we prepared meals.
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 After the lunch he went to his house.  When he was about to leave, he said I would see you before I go to bed.  We agreed that I would be seeing him.
 I could see later on that there were vans going passed my place.  It was not long, there were shouts and cries from my family's house.  Whilst I was listening and looking around what was happening, somebody shouted and said, Khulu has hanged himself.  I wanted to go to where they said he was, but they prevented me from going there.
 The eldest daughter to my brother was also crying and she wanted me to go and see my brother.  He was brought along by the ambulance and I was shocked to see him dead.
 He was covered and they were looking for another house, they were not coming to his place and the ambulance left.  I went to the police and we didn't get any direction and nobody cared for us.  We went back to our place and our family was gathered at my place.
 We went to New Brighton and even there nobody informed us what happened to our brother.  So he was taken to Vaki Muswara.
 I just like to mention that I have forgotten many of the things because in the beginning he was always assaulted by the amaTshaka and they always assaulted him severely.
 Each time you would find him, you will find he will always say it is the amaTshaka insertion here and here.

PANEL MEMBER: As I am listening to your story, I gather that the policemen were working hand in hand or they were serving as imposters pretending to be the AZAPO members and then they would continue to do all the evils that you can think of, claiming to be the AZAPO members.  In other words you want us to understand that the police were deceiving PORT ELIZABETH HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE
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people and trying to cause conflict among the organisations?  I think they were trying to create an impression that they were working with the AZAPO members, is that so?

MRS R TSHANGA: Yes, we believe that they were working hand in hand with the AZAPO members.  Why I am certain they were working with them, there were people who were AZAPO members and I knew them.  Although there were some of the people that we didn't know, but there were those that we knew that they were really AZAPO members.
 Much of the people knew that the Walmer had the mostly they were the AZAPO members, Ebenhezer Maqwena was always leading them.  It was a terrible situation.

PANEL MEMBER: We understand that it is a very horrendous story.

INTERPRETER: The interpreter does not hear what is being said.

PANEL MEMBER: I would just like to know what would you like to happen?  How can the Commission help you?

MRS R TSHANGA: I would like that the Commission should investigate our brother's death.  I am certain that he never committed suicide, we know that.  The police and the AZAPO were always after him. The minute I think about him, I become nervous and disturbed for quite a long time.

PANEL MEMBER: Thank you very much.  I am handing over to you Mr Chairperson.

DESMOND MPILO TUTU: Thank you very much.  Any further questions?

MRS R TSHANGA: Please excuse me Commission.  I have another wish.  We would like to see the wire which they said he used it to hang himself.  They refused to show us, I also wanted his hat, they refused to give us the hat.  His belongings were also not all.
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 We understand that he had a denim trousers on, but we just found the denim lumber jacket and a pink T-shirt.