Human Rights Violation Hearings — Grahamstown — 1997-04-09

MS MAYA: Was a trial ever heard at court?

KOLOMAN JAMES MANTILE: Yes, there was a trial where we were represented by De La Harpe.  And as this gentleman said that policemen were found guilty.

MS MAYA: Were these policemen the same municipal policemen?

KOLOMAN JAMES MANTILE: Yes, they were guarding the school because it was month end and they had received their salaries.

MS MAYA: What were their respective sentences?

KOLOMAN JAMES MANTILE: It was - the one who was found guilty, was the one who was found who had shot at my brother and who
seemed to have emptied his cartridges on him

MS MAYA: Did you receive any compensation?

KOLOMAN JAMES MANTILE: Yes, we did receive a bit of compensation after having instituted a civil claim.

MS MAYA: What is your request or what is your wish which you would like to express before this Commission?

KOLOMAN JAMES MANTILE: I would like to ask this Commission for assistance.  More so in regard to the children because there are so many things which have now become my responsibility since the death of my brother and his wife.

MS MAYA: Is there anything else you would like to say?

KOLOMAN JAMES MANTILE: No, besides reiterating my request for help with the children and I also have an important request especially in regard to their death.
 I never received any kind of compensation because when I, or any satisfying response because even when I tried to enquire about why his wife was shot, we were just told that she wasn't working anywhere and I would like an investigation into their deaths so that these children can receive some kind of answer to the questions.
 It is very difficult for me.

MS MAYA: Mrs Bikishi?  Mrs Bikishi, your story is about Phindile Lhelhe Mbenge?  What was he to you?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: He was my husband.

MS MAYA: What happened to you?  He was also shot that day without you knowing why.  Where was he?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: I was busy preparing his supper and he was sitting on the bed.

MS MAYA: What happened?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: These people knocked on the door and I was
wondering who knocked and they - he went to open the door and they wanted to know why we were throwing at them and he wanted to know why should we throw stones at you, we don't know you and the one hit him with a sjambok and he fell on the bed and as he was getting up, the other one said, shoot at him.
 Because I did not know them I came in and I asked them what are you doing?  The one said shoot this rubbish as well.   And they shot me in my leg, but I survived.  And my health has never been the same.

MS MAYA: Your husband died there and then?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: Yes, he did.  I lost consciousness in the room and when I regained consciousness, I shook my husband, thinking he had also just fallen and lost consciousness the way I had.
 The police then came in and they said oh, dear, this person had passed away and they could see that I was confused and they decided to go and load me into a van or an ambulance or something and take me to the hospital.

MS MAYA: Were these the same policemen who were prosecuted in the matters of the gentlemen next to you?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: Yes.

MS MAYA: Did you institute a civil claim?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: No, but his family arrived that night.

MS MAYA: You never received any compensation then?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: No, I did not.  I just received a little bit for my loss of blood.

MS MAYA: Do you have any request before this Commission?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: Yes, I do because I need help.  I am not well, I am ill.

MS MAYA: Do you receive any pension or disability grant or
anything from the Government?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: Yes, I do.

MS MAYA: Thank you very much Mrs Bikishi.  Is that all you have to say?

NONZIMA EDNA BIKISHI: Yes.

MS MAYA: I thank you all and I now hand you back to the Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Peter, Mrs Mandile and Mrs Bikishi, we thank you.  If you were not residents of South Africa, we will not believe what you've just told us.
 The cruelty of people who were behaving like animals.  We thank you for telling us your story today about this mini massacre.  We have noted your requests and we will forward them to the President.
 We apologise for opening wounds for you, but we thank you for coming to the Commission to give this testimony, you may go back to your seats.