Human Rights Violation Hearings — Worcester — 1996-06-24

DR BORAINE: We are just waiting to make sure that the headphones are in place so that the witnesses can hear both in English and in the language of their choice.

WENDY ORR: Mr Dyasi can you hear me?

MR DYASI: Yes.

WENDY ORR: We'll just wait for your wife to get her headphones on.  Welcome to both of you Mr and Ms Dyasi and I believe you have brought your Minister with you who is going to be sitting with you and supporting you, so welcome to you to sir.
Mr Dyasi, are you the only person who is going to give evidence today?

MR DYASI: Yes, I am the only one.
MBEDLE DYASI Duly sworn states

WENDY ORR: I now hand you over to Dr Boraine to lead your evidence.

DR BORAINE: Again Mr Dyasi to yourself and your wife a very warm welcome.  You have been sitting in the cold hall waiting for your turn and you have been very patient and we are very glad to see you.  We know that the story you are going to tell is a very sad one and we want you to know that you are amongst friends who care about you who are going to listen very carefully to what you have to say.
In 1985 it was a very-very difficult time for many people.  The township was besieged, search lights were shining in the streets, foot patrols, people weren't allowed to come in and out - it was a very difficult time.  Perhaps you can tell us what happened to your son during those circumstances.

MR DYASI: I thank you very much doctor.
Firstly I would like to say that on the 3rd of November 1985 I was at home with my wife.  We were watching television.  After some time I heard some gunshots.  I just overlooked it and just looked out of the window I wanted to see what was going on outside, we couldn't see anything.  We stayed as we were watching TV.
After some time it was around 8 or 9  my neighbour came inside and he informed me that he got a phone call.  They were telling us that our son has been shot and he is in Tooshay - that's where the incident had happened, we will find him in a shack.
What I can say at that time I was so sad I couldn't believe it.  Because I knew that my son was not a drinker,  he was not drinking alcohol.  I couldn't believe that he was shot.  I was so shocked, my wife and I decided to go to Tooshay to see if this is true, aren't they making a mistake that this my son who has been shot.  We did go there and when we arrived there -  when we got  inside that shack,  I saw that it was my son who was laying here.
He was lying on the floor and he was so painful.  I would noticed that there were wounds on his right arm.  There were also some wounds at the back.  By that time he was still conscious, he was able to respond and I asked him what happened.  Where did they shot you - he said they shot him while he was walking along the Tooshay Street.  While  I  was right on the corner of that street, that's where they shot me by  two policemen.  When he saw the policemen he tried to run away.
I asked him why he was running away and he said to me that they were going to beat him.  And then they had the chance to shoot him while he was running.  He tried to run away from the policemen and he get into that house at the backyard but he couldn't manage because he was deeply wounded and badly shot.  By the time I was with him in that shack I tried to lift him up so that I can take him home.
It was very difficult for him to stand up because I could see the bullets were coming out of his mouth and then he said daddy these things are just -  I feel them in my body.   This child of mine was the first born and he was the only one.  I have got five  children but he was the only son that I've got.  I was so heartbroken because I couldn't bear the pain of losing my only - my one and only son.  I was trying my best to lift him up so that he can  survive but I couldn't  make it so I had to leave him there and go to my Minister -  the one who is next to me.
I told him the story of my child and where he was in Tooshay in the back house which means a shack and my Minister accompanied me to where my son was and he also saw what I saw.  We tried out best to lift him up but he was in such pain that we couldn't manage and I was feeling very sorry for him.
I kept those bullets for a long time but I decided that they were of no use so I must throw them away.  And then I had no other means - I had no other option so I've decided that me and the Minister who is sitting next to me, we must go to the police station and make a report that my son has been shot.  I was looking for an assistance, I was going to ask for it for an ambulance to come along to get my son to the hospital.
When we arrived at the police station there was one policeman.  I plead with him asking  him and telling him the story of my son and I told him that I need some assistance if he could please help me take my son to hospital.  But there was an interruption whilst I was speaking to the policeman, I heard the gunshot.  I was still right inside the police station and the policeman said to me just wait a while - the Station Commander is on his way.  
We waited there for a long time for the Station Commander.  When he arrived I told him the whole story as I had told the policeman before.  I told him that I was there to ask for an assistant and he asked me do I know where he is and I told him yes I do and he said we must get into the van - then we left.

DR BORAINE: Take your time there is no hurry at all - just relax.