Amnesty Hearings — Thohoyandou — 1999-07-15

CHAIRPERSON: This will be Exhibit B.  Mr Sioma, what language would you prefer to use?

MR SIOMA: I will use (indistinct) Venda.

CHAIRPERSON: Very well.  Have you got any objection to the taking of the oath?

MR SIOMA: No objection.

MR SIOMA: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: You may proceed.

MR NDOU: Thank you, Mr Chairman.  Mr Sioma, you have an affidavit in front of you.

MR SIOMA: Yes, it's true.

MR NDOU: Do you agree that your signature appearing on the last page of the document is yours?

MR SIOMA: Yes, I agree.

MR NDOU: (Indistinct) that this affidavit may be handed in as your evidence?

MR SIOMA: Yes, I agree.

CHAIRPERSON: (Indistinct) that you wish to bring or effect on the affidavit?

MR SIOMA: No, at this stage, no.

CHAIRPERSON: (Indistinct) is that in terms of your instructions?

MR NDOU: That is so.

CHAIRPERSON: So you also as a legal advisor are comfortable that no amendments need to be brought.

MR NDOU: Yes, I made sure that where there were problems, those are clarified.

CHAIRPERSON: Is there anything that you want to add to your affidavit that comes to mind now?

MR SIOMA: No, at this stage.

CHAIRPERSON: (Indistinct) Mr Van Rensburg?
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR NDOU

MR VAN RENSBURG: Mr Sioma, I just want to put it to you that the reason why you attacked the house of the deceased and burned down his house and killed him was because he was suspected of being a witch and the community was frightened of witches.

CHAIRPERSON: Well, let's do it one by one.

MR VAN RENSBURG: Pardon?

CHAIRPERSON: It's been put to you that the reason why you participated in killing the deceased was because he was a witch, true or not?

MR SIOMA: Some of it, that's one of it.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, secondly it's been put to you, well Mr Van Rensburg, can you carry on then?

MR VAN RENSBURG: Thank you.  And that that was the most important reason why you killed him, because he was a witch?

MR SIOMA: That is not the only one.

MR VAN RENSBURG: The most important one?

MR SIOMA: The most important one is that he was in the midst of witches and that he was disturbing the activities of the youth.

MR VAN RENSBURG: You agree that there was prior to the day that he was killed, no decision to kill him?

MR SIOMA: The decision of killing him was not there, was never made.

MR VAN RENSBURG: (Indistinct), thank you Mr Chairman.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR VAN RENSBURG

CHAIRPERSON: Ms Patel?

MS PATEL: No, thank you, honourable Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Ndou?

MR NDOU: None.

CHAIRPERSON: (Indistinct)

ADV SIGODI: No questions, Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: Tell me, what do you feel about what you did that day?  What do you feel today?

MR SIOMA: For now I'm feeling in my heart very painful, since it happened I'm feeling very concerned when seeing the children of the deceased in front of me now.  In the past I was unable to meet them so that we can forgive each other as we are living together at home...(intervention).

CHAIRPERSON: (Indistinct) are you prepared to make attempts to come to terms with the family?

MR SIOMA: Yes, I'm fully prepared that we can live together like before.

CHAIRPERSON: I would appeal to the respective representatives to make attempts to facilitate such a meeting.  I don't know if it will occur but at least I'm hopeful that it could.  Mr Ndou?

MR NDOU: I agree.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you.
WITNESS EXCUSED