Human Rights Violation Hearings — Leandra — 1997-06-03

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: About the store of Mr Morojane, on that day when we went to Evanda to release, to release the UDF youth.  When we got back we found out that Mr Mahlangu was there when the store was being burnt and I was surprised, because he was not there.  At the time when the store was burnt he was with me.

MR MALAN: Were you or your husband actively involved in politics in those days?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Yes, I will say so, because we favoured UD so much.

MR MALAN: Did you serve on any of the organisations structures?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: My husband, yes, he was a full member of a political organisation.

MR MALAN: I am asking this, because the impression we have from your original statement is that you believed that you were harassed because of your brother-in-law's involvement in politics, but I just want to get clarity.  It was really an involvement of the whole family in politics?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Yes, the whole family was active politically.

MR MALAN: Okay, thank you very much.  That is all.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  Joyce Seroke.

MS SEROKE: Mrs Ndlovu, you say those people alleged that they were Inkatha.

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Yes, that is true.

MS SEROKE: Tell us now the Inkatha in Lebohang was in existence at that time or was there a meeting of Inkatha at Lebohang or they were just alleging to the Inkatha and yet they were not affiliated with the real Natal Inkatha.

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: I will say they were not Inkatha, the Inkatha we know, because I come from Inkatha and I also have a badge of Inkatha.

MS SEROKE: And according to our research notes they say there were vigilantes who were calling themselves differently.  Maybe those people that you have just made mention of, Bob for instance, were the members of that vigilante group.  Could it be?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Yes, I think so, it is possible.

MS SEROKE: About Daniel, how old was he at the time when he was being looked after, when they were looking for him?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: He was 15 years old and going to turn 16.

MS SEROKE: At the time when they came to look for him what did they say they wanted him for?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: They said they wanted to kill him.

MS SEROKE: Kill him for what?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: They alleged that he was influential in the community that other youth should be assaulted.

MS SEROKE: What about your mother-in-law, when she was being assaulted and she collapsed.  Was she able to talk before this whole incident, was she just fine?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Yes, she was.

MS SEROKE: And when you were injured, the three of you, did you ever attempt to seek medical attention?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Yes, I took my husband to Delmas and in Delmas they said his ribs were injured and also he was bleeding through his nose.  He stayed at home for four months not working, as sick leave, and at the time he was attending treatment, taking treatment from the hospital.  I had a laceration and I was not operated on it.

MS SEROKE: Do you think if we go to Delmas we will get proper records that reflect the whole thing and that will give us the full picture of your husband and yourself?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Yes and Dr Myet is the one who was our doctor.

MS SEROKE: And about your mother-in-law, was she ever taken to the hospital?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Yes, she was taken to Pokwana.

MS SEROKE: Do you think we can get full records, medical records there with regard to your mother-in-law?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: I do not know, I am not too sure, maybe you will.

MS SEROKE: You say a chief said he will get in touch with Priscilla Jana.  Did the case go any further after that?

MASILITSO M NDLOVU: Priscilla Jana did come and the boys were released, those who were arrested and she left.  We hoped she will come back and she never did.

MS SEROKE: Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you Joyce Seroke.  Ma Masilitso Ndlovu, I would like to thank you very much for coming.  I think that you have told us a terrible story, terrible for what it shows.  You were and it is a story that we hear again and again, but every time we hear it it still has the same impact, because it is the story of ordinary people being thrown into dangerous situations for reasons completely beyond themselves and without reason.  Secondly, you are now still missing and have been for more than ten years missing a family member.  This too is not helped by the rumours and it is very difficult to stop those sort of rumours.  I think that you have shown great courage in coming and in bringing your story to the Commission.  As the panel has said we will try and see what we can do to follow that up, but in the meantime we would like to thank you very much for coming, for showing that courage and showing us your strength in telling that story.  Thank you very much.