Amnesty Hearings — Durban — 1997-08-13

MR PURSHOTAM: What are you suffering from at present?

THEMBA BUTHELEZI: When it's cold, I'm suffering.  And I can still feel something moving inside my body where the bullet went through.

MR PURSHOTAM: What is your attitude towards the application for amnesty?

THEMBA BUTHELEZI: I'd like you to repeat the question please.

MR PURSHOTAM: Yes, what is your attitude towards the application for amnesty made by the applicants?

THEMBA BUTHELEZI: It doesn't give me any rest.  Inside my heart I still feel bad - I mean what they did, it's absolutely something that no-one would actually ask for forgiveness.

MR PURSHOTAM: So, are you saying that the applications for amnesty should be granted or not?

THEMBA BUTHELEZI: I mean no-one should grant these people amnesty.

MR PURSHOTAM: Have any of them approached you for forgiveness?

THEMBA BUTHELEZI: No.

MR PURSHOTAM: Have any of them written to apologizing for the incident?

THEMBA BUTHELEZI: No-one.

MR PURSHOTAM: That is all, Mr Chairman.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR PURSHOTAM

CHAIRPERSON: Do you have any questions?

MS VAN DER WALT: No questions.
NO QUESTIONS BY MS VAN DER WALT

MR WILKINSON: No questions, thank you Mr Chairman.
NO QUESTIONS BY MR WILKINSON

MR PRINSLOO: I have a couple of questions - a few questions.  Do you think that attack on that evening was of a political nature?

THEMBA BUTHELEZI: No, I don't think so.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR PRINSLOO

CHAIRPERSON: Very well.  Thank you very much, you may stand down.
WITNESS EXCUSED

MR PURSHOTAM: Mr Chairman, I now propose to call Sipho Jeremiah Mabaso.

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: (sworn states)

MR PURSHOTAM: Mr Mabaso, what's your age?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: 42 years old.

MR PURSHOTAM: Do you have a family with children?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: Yes, I do.

MR PURSHOTAM: How many children do you have?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: I have eight children.

MR PURSHOTAM: What are their ages?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: The first born is 22 years old, the second born is 18 years old, third born is 16 years old, the fourth born is 12 years old, the fifth one is 8 years old, the sixth one is 7 years old, the seventh one is 4 years old and the eighth one is 1 year old.

MR PURSHOTAM: What was your job at the time of this incident?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: I was a driver, a long distance taxi driver from Durban to Johannesburg.

MR PURSHOTAM: Have you worked since the date of this incident?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: No I was no longer able to work.  Even my doctor did confirm that I could not work any more because I had been severely injured.

MR PURSHOTAM: What injuries did you suffer?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: I was shot in the stomach where I'm showing you.

MR PURSHOTAM: How long were you in hospital?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: I stayed for five months.

MR PURSHOTAM: Was the treatment rendered to you in hospital successful?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: Yes, it was successful but it was very difficult because I was in so much pain but they did succeed and they also told my wife to keep on looking after me, even after I was discharged.

MR PURSHOTAM: Are you still suffering from the effects of the injury - up to the present day?

SIPHO JEREMIAH MABASO: Yes, there is a lot.  I cannot run, I cannot lift anything that is heavy.  I cannot eat certain foods.  I'm very selective because I've got a gastric problem and I do experience some pains in my stomach.  At times I have short breath.

MR PURSHOTAM: You heard Mr Zulu relate to the Committee, the facts of the incident in the bus.  Without repeating what he told the Committee, is there anything that you wish to add about the incident?