Human Rights Violation Hearings — Durban — 1996-08-28

WITNESS:   No, I haven't been to any psychologist, but inasfar as the cancer I have I went to King Edward, where I was helped.  But in these other things regarding these other sicknesses that I have I never took any steps.  And Precious Mkhize helped me regarding my eyesight so I could be able to see.

KHOZA MGOJO: Now can you see?

WITNESS:   Yes, just a little bit.  You know, I always rely on my husband.  I will never leave my husband because he is the one who helps me get things done.

KHOZA MGOJO: Was it ever - did you ever get any treatment for your eyes that now they are healed?

WITNESS:   No, I don't have much, because we just earn money from pension.   We will write that one down and we'll see if you cannot see the optician.

UNKNOWN: Mrs Mbotiwe, I can see that you are deeply troubled, and the way you are relating this also one can gather the fact that you are not feeling well.  And the way you relate this story one gets affected, you know.  It does impact even us.  It would be a wonderful thing that you consult some psychologist so that you may be healed, because you need some healing.  Where was your husband when all this took place?  How is his health faring?

WITNESS:  We were together.  He can say also what he wants to say.

UNKNOWN: No, it's fine, because you've already explained.  Is there anything that you want to say, because if there is anything that you want to say you'll have to take an oath?  The reason why we keep talking to your wife is because she is the one who took the oath.

MR MBOTIWE: No, what she said ... (intervention)

UNKNOWN: Do you want to say something?  We'll have to get you sworn in before you can say anything.

MR MBOTIWE: No, there is nothing I want to say.  She has already related everything.  She said a mouthful inasfar as this is concerned.  You see often times I was not at home.  I would be just home for a few days, and after that I will be gone.  I was always away from home up to this time when I've got my pension.  There's this thing we have in our tribe, it's a Zulu thing, that we do get consent about things that have to do regarding the deceased people, the deceased ones, like the clothes where they are now.

UNKNOWN: What happened to the clothes.
/MR MBOTIWE

MR MBOTIWE: No, they did take the clothes.  He didn't keep the clothes.  I am just thinking that there are things are okay, and we call - we say these are ancestors and they wanted my son's blood.  So also they can use it to fight against the enemies.  I say this because one said this to me, and said, "Just keep quiet.  They just wanted your son's blood so they can mix it with some tribal medicine so they can fight against the enemies."  They said, "The first boy who died in 1990 we had his blood, and others cannot fight us because we have this strong medicine that we mix it with this blood to fight enemies."

UNKNOWN: Well, I thank you so much.  I can see you are so much in pain, but through it all, what you have gone through also with your husband, you still thank the Lord that you are still alive and you are still fine and intact.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... forgot to ask you about, and that is your son's political involvement.  Was he involved in any political organisations or youth organisations?

WITNESS:   I may say he was a UDF supporter, because he was still at school.  I don't think he was a full member, he was only a supporter, just a follower of UDF.

COMMISSIONER: Mrs Mbotiwe and Mr Mbotiwe, we thank you both very much for coming here today.  Like many other witnesses who have given evidence, not only today, but in other areas of this province, and indeed in other areas of the country, you have told us about the death of a child, and one thing that we in this Commission have learnt from people like you, and other people around the country, that it is a terrible thing for a parent to have to bury a child, and we extend our deep sympathies to you.  And we are very glad that you could come here together, and sit here together and tell us that story, and we hope that is of some comfort to you.
Again, like other witnesses, you have told us about the close co-operation at the time between the KwaZulu Police in Umlazi and senior members of the IFP like Mr Sabelo and Mr Shozi, and those names have been mentioned by many other witnesses, and we've heard of this close co-operation between the police and the IFP not only in Umlazi, but in many other areas of Natal, such as KwaMashu, Port Shepstone, Imbali, Popomeni, Trust Feeds, and other areas.  And, as I have said earlier today, that political party must accept a very large measure of responsibility for this, and for the terrible human misery and suffering that resulted from this alliance, and your son was a victim of that.
So we again extend our sympathies to you and thank you very much for coming in, telling us that story.  It gives us a clear picture of what was happening in Umlazi at that time, and this is important when we write our report at the end of our period of office.  So we thank you again and wish you well as you go.  Thank you very much.

COMMISSIONER: Mrs Mabaso, can you hear me and understand me through the earphones?

MRS MABASO: Yes.

COMMISSIONER: We greet you and welcome you here today.  Thank you very much for waiting the whole day.  You're the last person, you've waited very patiently.  You have someone with you on the stage.  Who is that?

MRS MABASO: It's my son.

COMMISSIONER: What is your son's name please?

MRS MABASO: Jabulani Jerome Mabaso.

COMMISSIONER: We welcome Jabulani today.  You have come to tell us about the killing of one of your other sons, Sifiso Mabaso, who was killed on Sharpeville day in 1992.  After you've taken the oath Mrs Gcabashe will help you with your evidence.  Can you stand up and take the oath.

MRS MABASO: (Sworn, States)   (Through Interpreter)

COMMISSIONER: Mrs Gcabashe will help you.

MRS GCABASHE: Good afternoon, Mrs Mabaso.  Good afternoon to you, and your son as well, good afternoon.  We know it's been a long day.  We thank you for your patience.  We know you are here to tell us a very sad story.  You know at your age you shouldn't be going up and down about sad things like this, but unfortunately you find yourself in that position.  You have come to the Truth Commission about the killing of your son, Xolani Mabaso.  You had already said in your statement that he was injured during the Sharpeville day celebration.  Can you concisely tell us what happened?

WITNESS:   It was in the morning on the 21st of March.  They left, they went to the stadium.  There was a celebration of Sharpeville day.  When they were coming back, from what I heard, I was going to the clinic, Umlazi Clinic, they met a kombi with NJ registration.

MRS GCABASHE: No, just tell us didn't they - did they see the number or they just saw NJ?