Human Rights Violation Hearings — Rustenburg — 1997-05-07

RUSSELL ALLY: And what exactly was it in detention that would you think cause your health to deteriorate in the way that you have explained?

HELLEN MOTEANE: It was when they were taking me to Adamelang, because those people, those two people were drinking on the road and they were driving carelessly.  That is where I dislocated my hip.

RUSSELL ALLY: Was there an accident, a motor car accident, or what exactly happened, or were you thrown?

HELLEN MOTEANE: There was no accident, because we were driving on a gravel road and I was not able to sit.  I was jumping all up and down on the road because it was a gravel road.

RUSSELL ALLY: During your period of detention you said that you were subjected to interrogation and also that you, and degrading treatment, can you tell us a little bit about, be a bit more specific about the treatment, this degrading treatment which you speak about.

HELLEN MOTEANE: This person I am talking about on the 12th,  because I did not know what I was arrested for but that he must tell the Government why am I arrested.  When I said I do not want to eat, he started insulting me.  On the night when they were, he was knocking off and somebody was coming to relieve him, I covered myself with blankets.  Therefore he undressed me up to the buttocks.

RUSSELL ALLY: You say that you were employed as a nurse at the Rietspruit clinic in Rustenburg since 1987, but that you are now presently unemployed.

HELLEN MOTEANE: Yes, I am unemployed.  Whilst I was on leave in 1989, on the 12th when I was called, Mr Modibede Simon said, gave me papers that I should resign.  But before that time, I said, I resigned in January, because I knew that they were going suspend me.

RUSSELL ALLY: And since that incident, did you ever try to get back into nursing?

HELLEN MOTEANE: Yes, I went to the clinic to look for the vacancies.  They said they were going to call me then.  I went to town, they still said they would call me.  I went to Hartebees.  I am still waiting for their reply up to this day.

RUSSELL ALLY: We have heard many cases today of persecution that seemed to be directed very specifically at the Baphokeng people.  In your opinion, why was it that Mangope's Government seem to target the Baphokeng people in this way?

HELLEN MOTEANE: They targeted the Baphokeng people because those people in Phokeng were truthful and they did not want to lose their property.

RUSSELL ALLY: And after you were released from detention, you were detained the 20th of April, you say, then you were released later.  Did you have any other encounters with the Boputhatswana Government or after that?  Did they continue to harass, did they ever pick you up again?  What happened after you were released?

HELLEN MOTEANE: They used to come at home and they just said they were visiting, but I said to them, before they come to visit, they should send somebody to come and inform me that the police are coming and again what are they coming here for.

RUSSELL ALLY: But they did not arrest you again after 14th of June 1990 when you were released?

HELLEN MOTEANE: No Sir I was never arrested thereafter.  I was arrested before, before 1990, but after that I was not arrested again.

RUSSELL ALLY: What charges were ever laid against you by the Boputhatswana Government?

HELLEN MOTEANE: No I did not even go to court.  They just brought me home.

RUSSELL ALLY: Thank you very much for coming to speak about your experience.

CHAIRPERSON: Piet Meiring.

PROF MEIRING: Thank you so much.  Only one question, Mrs Moteane.  Two questions.  Are you married?

HELLEN MOTEANE: I am divorced.

PROF MEIRING: But you do have children, I see five children, is that correct?

HELLEN MOTEANE: That is true.

PROF MEIRING: Who looks after your children?  You are unemployed who takes care of the children?

HELLEN MOTEANE: These children are my sister's child, who died by shock whilst I was being arrested.  After that I took her death certificate to the Government to look for grants for these children.

PROF MEIRING: And did you receive grants?  Does that help you?

HELLEN MOTEANE: Yes.  Yes, they do help me, even if sometimes they, they are slow to bring that grant.

PROF MEIRING: Thank you so much.

CHAIRPERSON: Hellen, we heard your testimony.  We thank you for coming and again we regret to hear what has happened to you.  Undressed by a man, being a woman in prison, I know that must have affected your dignity and we have noted that.  We will have a special women's hearing in Gauteng where women were violated.  Thank you.
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