Amnesty Hearings — East London — 1999-06-15

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Obose.

MR OBOSE: Thank you Mr Chairman.

MR OBOSE: You are a member of the South African Police Services, is that so?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: That is correct.

MR OBOSE: Stationed where?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: Provincial Protection Services in Bisho.

MR OBOSE: During March 1994 where were you stationed?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: I was station in NU12 in Vulingela Police Station.

MR OBOSE: What rank did you hold at the time?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: I was an inspector.

MR OBOSE: Did you attend the meeting at the Bisho police college on the morning of the 22nd March 1994?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: Yes I did attend that meeting.

MR OBOSE: At what time did you get to the meeting?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: In the morning but I can't remember the time.

MR OBOSE: What happened in this meeting very shortly?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: Gen Nqoya spoke to the police and then after that he was arguing with Insp Mfene then after that he left saying that we must wait for him.  We should call the other police so that we can all be there, he wanted to address all the police.

MR OBOSE: Do you remember as to what was the cause of this quarrel, or exchange of words between him and Insp Mfene, of what did they talk about?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: They were talking about the elections and the conditions that would be in place during the new government and about the pensions of the police.

MR OBOSE: And what was Insp Mfene's objection, if any, to this?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: Insp Mfene showed the dissatisfaction of the government, of the way the government was treating us as the police in the former Ciskei and the working conditions and the things that were happening such as killing of people.

MR OBOSE: So Gen Nqoya left, what then happened in the meeting?  Did the meeting continue?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: After Gen Nqoya said that we must call all the police, I was one of the police who went to Umtanzani to collect other police.

MR OBOSE: Why?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: Because he was going to address all the police.

MR OBOSE: Now you then got back to the meeting.  What role did you play, if any, in this meeting or any other events related to this meeting?

DAZI DENIS SIMANGA: In this meeting my role, I was in front when I represented the police from Umtanzani.  That was my role, there was nothing else except that I was in front and I associated myself with the police in all they were doing.  If an action was taken I would associate myself with that.

MR OBOSE: Thank you.  Nothing further Mr Chairman.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR OBOSE

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you Mr Obose. Mr Nompozolo any questions?

MR NOMPOZOLO: Thank you, no questions.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you Mr Nompozolo.  Ms Collett any questions?

MS COLLETT: No questions.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Ms Collett.  Mr Mapoma, any questions?

MR MAPOMA: No questions.

CHAIRPERSON: Panel?  Have you got any re-examination?

MR OBOSE: No re-examination.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  Mr Simanga, you're excused.
WITNESS EXCUSED

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, Mr Obose.

MR OBOSE: Mr Chairman the next witness I wish to call is not in right now.  I was wondering maybe we could alternate the times and probably adjourn now.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes.  We will adjourn for exactly 30 minutes.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS