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

ADV SANDI: Who was charged in court?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Nomsa Reysman was the one charged, together with Sbongile Yantolo and Nomfundo Gabashe.

ADV SANDI: what was the outcome of the case?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Only one witness was allowed to talk, to testify in court.  We were then told that we must come back in the following morning for a sentence.
 At about past eleven the following day, Gani came to me at work.  He said that they were not found guilty.  I then said to him, the reason for them not to be found guilty is that they are working for the Government.
 Because Nceba was not doing anything, he was in the yard, they shot him in the yard.

ADV SANDI: Is Mr Gani an investigator responsible for this case?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Yes.

ADV SANDI: Where is Nomsa Reysman now?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Nomsa Reysman was killed in Mossel Bay.

ADV SANDI: Who killed her?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: She was killed by her boyfriend.

ADV SANDI: Where is Sbongile?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Sbongile burnt herself.

ADV SANDI: Did she die?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Yes, she died.

ADV SANDI: Nomfundu Gabashe?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Nomfundu Gabashe is still around.

ADV SANDI: Is she the only one who is still alive?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Yes.

ADV SANDI: Do you have requests Mrs Danster concerning this matter?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: The request we have as the family, Danster family, is that Nceba was working for his mother.  His mother does not have a husband.  His got two children who is still attending school.
 Both of them have completed their matric but they cannot further their studies because no one is supporting them.

ADV SANDI: Thank you Mrs Danster.  I will hand over to the Chairperson.

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: I would like the Truth Commission to assist us especially my sister because Nceba was supporting her.

ADV SANDI: Who is your sister?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: Nceba's mother.

ADV SANDI: Thank you, Ma'am.  Thank you Mr Chairperson.

REV XUNDU: Chairperson, I would like to ask these people if any attempts were made by the community to reconcile the people because it is quite clear that these people reside there?  What can be done to reconcile you people and bring about harmony?

XOLOKHAZI DANSTER: We greet each other, we talk to each other, and their parents as well.  We don't bear any grudges against each other, there is no ill feeling.

CHAIRPERSON: Enoch Mali, you said that you were the
organiser of the workers.  Of which Trade Union was that?

ENOCH MALI: It was known as SAWU at the time and I was part of the residential committee of the UDF at the time.
 In 1987 I was on the residential committee of the UDF.  That is all for now.

CHAIRPERSON: We thank you.  We thank the four of you, Nocawe Maki, Nkosiyabo Ngidla, Enoch Mali and you also Mrs Danster.
 We thank you for your testimony.  I do not know why people said that, called the municipal police Amangundwana, but it is quite clear that the damage done by them is quite extensive.
 These mine rats may appear very small, but their damage can be rather extensive.  We have the hope that by bringing your testimony before this Commission and before the nation, that you would have made a contribution towards ensuring that never again, will there be two legged mine rats walking around in our communities.
 Because the community of Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort and others have been affected by these municipal police.  We thank you for the contributions which you have made and also the requests which you have made.  Our work is to compile a report, consisting of all these requests after having investigated them and thereafter we will submit the report to the President of this country.
 The President of this country will then sit down and see how to respond to these requests, which can be done and which cannot be done.  Our work is basically to put it in his hands.  We thank you for having come to us and testifying before us.  We ask you to take your seats now.
 Goodbye Mr Mali.