Human Rights Violation Hearings — Umtata — 1996-06-19

NONTOBEKO DULI: I think it was in 1992, after the death of my husband, when Gen Holomisa came to my house.  And he stated clearly that he never wanted my husband to die, because he saved his life.  And he further said that if I have any
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problems I must come to his office.

MS MKHIZE: Your opening statement which you made here, gives the Commission an impression that you are looking for clarity as to what exactly happened.  Did you make use of the opportunity when you met, to maybe ask him as one of the people who were close to you, as to what exactly might have happened, meaning around the actual death of your husband?

NONTOBEKO DULI: I never asked him what actually happened.  But he stated that he never wanted him dead.

MEMBER OF PANEL: Thank you, Mr Chair, I have only three questions.  I would just like to ask one question.  You said Craig saw somebody when he was ordered to turn his back.  Do you have any knowledge of those people who are the people who shot him?

NONTOBEKO DULI: I have no idea.  He didn't say anything further because he was emotional and he said he was afraid to lose his job, so I couldn't go further and ask him questions. I just thanked him.

MEMBER OF PANEL: It is very important for us to know who was this person who saw him or who heard the order that the late should turn his back, who is this officer who saw him when he was ordered to turn his back.

NONTOBEKO DULI: I have already explained to say the officer whom I talked to, is the late Mr, the Gen Bolowa.

MEMBER OF PANEL: Thank you.  My last question is directed to Madiba.  According to your knowledge you informed that the only thing that you knew about the association between the South African Defence Force and the coup was Boetie Davids who was also in the South African Defence Force.  Could you please explain to us why did you choose to work with him if you say there was no relationship between the
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South African Defence Force and also, when you say you didn' intend to cause any violence?

MR VHANA: During this period Boetie Davids was no longer a South African Defence Force officer.  He was a traitor, because he had a Britain contractor.  He was being together with another contractor here at Ndobo and Nocha.  We didn't use him because he was a member of the Defence Force of South Africa. I want to correct and highlight this. Again, during the time when he visited Craig Duli, he came here to give us money, because we lived as beggars.  Our wives used to support us. We used to sleep outside in the open.  During this day we went to buy some food from Mrs Njoli's place, we were going to have our lunch. It was on the day of the 18th January 1990, it was in Stutterheim.  These Transkei Defence Force came to assault us, to attack us. They came on the day when Boetie Davis was here.  We were waiting to have our meal and we were at Mrs Njoli's place where the food was prepared.  That's when the TDF attacked us.   During this time Davis was also here.  He realised that if he can go back to Nocha he could be arrested or he could be eliminated.  That is why he preferred to stay with us in Stutterheim.  We were staying in the car, in my car.

MEMBER OF PANEL: Thank you very much.  How - can you explain how was this place supported, this incident?

MR VHANA: Although we didn't ask views from the people, I can say our idea was being supported.

CHAIRPERSON: Order, please!

MR VHANA: There are many people who could not support any coup d'etat, by Gen George Meiring. Even today nobody can openly say he supports any coup d'etat.  That's why I can say the majority of the people supported what we were doing.  UMTATA HEARING TRC EASTERN CAPE
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The people wanted to have elections, even today if Gen George Meiring can dethrone Pres Mandela there would  be people who would be objecting to that, because they would be objecting to the military rule, because they would be fighting against unilateral rule.

CHAIRPERSON: Let us thank you very much, Mrs Duli and Mr Vhana.  This account has taken a long time this morning.  We have taken 20 minutes for each witness. For this case we have taken the time that should have been allotted to three witnesses.  But then the Chair have deliberately allowed it to go on because I thought that you should have ample time to present your story.
 We thank you very much for a clear and proper explanation and evidence which was presented today.  We also thank you for your request and you promised that you will try to send all the requests to the investigation unit, so that we can find out who killed your husband, Mrs Duli.  We also request you that you should give as much information as you have, especially the information which is related to your second request in connection with the pension fund and all that information we would like to have, so that you can make use of it.  So that we can also facilitate the investigations.  
 As I have already said, we are behind schedule.  We are going to have a break for tea now.
COMMISSION ADJOURNS FOR TEA
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