Human Rights Violation Hearings — Duncan Village — 1996-09-24

BONGANI FINCA: We have you here in this hearing.  I must also thank you for the way you handled us yesterday.
 And even your resounding attendance and your respect that you awarded to us because - and you showed that you see the seriousness of this work whereby we have to listen to the painful things that happened to the people during the times of repression.
 Once more these witnesses here in front of us are going to give their evidence to this Commission and we hope that you are once more going to show the respect to them as they come forward.
 I will also like to extend and convey a message from Archbishop Reverend Desmond Tutu, who is the Chairman of this Commission.  He has said that due to his involvement somewhere, he is unable to be present here with us, but he would like to say to all of you especially to the witnesses, his greetings and he cares so much about whatever you have to say to this Commission.
 Let me once more introduce to you this panel of my colleagues who work with me in this hearing in Duncan Village and we are a part of the main Commission though we are based here in the Eastern Cape.
 Firstly I would like to introduce to you on my extreme left, Adv Sandi who has taken a long time working and learning a lot about the Human Right issues and he even had 
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to go to Universities abroad and therefor his name came up as one of the people to form this Commission.  He hails from Grahamstown and he helps people who want to get assistance whenever they have some serious cases.  Thank you.
 Next to me here the lady seated next to me is June Crichton.  She comes from work as an activist for Human Rights issues as a member of BLACK SASH and also as an active member of the Anglican Church.  There was a time when she was away from our region because of ill health, she has recently returned to rejoin the work of our region.  We are delighted to have her, she comes from Port Elizabeth, June Crichton.
 Next to me we have a lady - with her experience by the name of Tiny Maya who hails from Umtata and who has been working for the Black Lawyers' Association during the time of oppression.  At the time they were this law that has made it possible that there should be this Commission.  Dulah Omar sent out some lawyer's to the overseas countries to go and observe what happens during the transitional period, so Mr Maya was one of those people who was sent overseas to go and observe and get some more information in preparation for this.  
 Next to Ms Maya we've got a young man there who is - comes from Port Elizabeth.  As you can see he is quite young, and he is Revd Xundu, who is one who has had great contribution during our struggle in this country.  And his leadership is well known in the country.  He has worked for a long time in Transkei during the Mtanzima regime, being arrested and locked in and I would have to take care of his family during his absence.  He again moved on to Lamontville in Natal such that he narrowly escaped death, but he is 
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presently based in Port Elizabeth - one of the most outstanding leaders of our people through the time of struggle.  He is a member of the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee, thank you.
 So I happen to be the head of all these distinguished people which has made it possible for this region to progress because these are stable people and people who are rooted in this community.
 We are then going to start with our work on this last day here in Duncan Village by listening to and focusing on the massacre that occurred on the three days from the 10th to the 12th of August in 1985, which erupted from the funeral of Griffiths, of Ms Victoria Mxenge's funeral.  
 With intention that we are going to be through with that and after lunch, we shall therefor listen to cases of Human Rights Violation, with intention to finish up by four o'clock.  We shall now hand over to Tiny Maya.

MR SANDI: Just before Tiny Maya tells us the order, maybe there is no need to introduce to you, but I think it is important, this is Revd Finca from the Chairman of the Board of Council, here in this area.
 He is President at (indistinct) and he is one Reverend who at the time of (indistinct) fall, he was asked to take his place, so because he has been in leadership for quite some time and this makes us to feel good and relaxed so I would like to say in his own right, he is a fully fledged leader that is quite distinguished and he is here in this Commission rightfully, especially at this time so let us greet him.  Thank you.

MS MAYA: Chairperson, Commissioner  I present to you the names of the people who made some requests to come and make
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an appearance before this Commission.  Even today a lot of these people who are going to appear are the people who were ill-treated at the time of the conflict and at the time when most people were being killed.
 So, I am not going to mention the time when these things happened.  So we have Zolile Gaza for attempted murder, Wele Rubushe for attempted murder, Nomasonto Kumalo for attempted murder, Vuyelwa Kumalo who died, Nomakhosazana Kumalo, who died,  Mzwamadoda Sukwana for torture, Sakhile Macwashe for attempted murder, Griffiths Fivana for attempted murder, Nomfundo Daisy Dodo on behalf of Mteteleli Dodo, attempted murder, Mxolisi Tototo Mbewana for attempted murder, Funeka Voyiya for attempted murder, Rogers Gqeme for attempted murder, Nothemba Marjorie on behalf of Mzwanele Fazzie who was murdered in 1982 and Sicelo Fazzie who was murdered in 1984.
 We have got Nomonde Cynthia Mahlanza on behalf of Mkhululi Mahlanza who was murdered.  We have got Mzwakhe Mvubu for attempted murder, Michael Makeke for attempted murder, Maki Ntshunde for severe ill-treatment, Noretse Joyce Wili on behalf of Goodboy Wili, who was murdered.
 Elizabeth Kopi on behalf of Ntobeko Kopi who was murdered.  Nomathemba Grey, for Fundusile Grey who was murdered.
 Pinana Mazaka for Mike Mazaka who was murdered.  That is the lot, Chairperson, I thank you.

BONGANI FINCA: We thank Ms Maya.  For the sake of those who are doing some recording I would like to make you aware that we have an additional witness, Zogogalela Christopher Majuba as additional victims.
 Usually when we are going to talk about people who are
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no more and who died during this conflict, we normally remember them in the way that is appropriate by standing up and then we mention their names.  Could you all rise?
 This is in memory of Vuyelwa Kumalo, Nomakhosazana Kumalo.  We remember Mzwanele Fazzie, Sicelo Fazzie.  We remember Mkhululi Maklanza.
 Goodboy Wili, Ntobeko Kopi, Fundusile Grey.  We remember Mike  Mazaka.  Make them rest in peace, Oh Lord and give them eternal life, thank you.
 Is Zolile Gaza in?  No, not yet?  We are now going to ask Wele Rubushe to ascend the stage together with Mzwamadoda Sukwana.

REV XUNDU: Wele, can you please rise.

UNKNOWN: (sworn states)

REV XUNDU: Thank you.  Mzwamadoda?

MZWAMADODA DE VILLIERS SUKWANA: (sworn states)

REV XUNDU: Thank you very much, they are sworn in.

BONGANI FINCA: We welcome you in this Commission.  We are going to hand over to Mr Sandi, who is going to question you on behalf of the Commission.  We are going to start with Mr Rubushe.

MR SANDI: Thank you very much, Chairperson.  Let me greet you Mr Rubushe, this morning.  How are you?

UNKNOWN: I am fine.

MR SANDI: Let me confirm first, your names, your full names, you are Wele Rubushe, is that so?

UNKNOWN: Yes, that is correct.

MR SANDI: You reside here at  Duncan Village, is that so?

UNKNOWN: Yes, that's correct.