bitter-aloe/trc-testimonies huggingface dataset:
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Louis Trichardt — 1997-04-09

CHAIRPERSON: We greet you Mr Manamela.  We would like to request you to explain who is this person, who is this lady next to you.  Can you hear us very well?

PITSO P MANAMELA: Yes.  I am with Ms Omar Magatle.

CHAIRPERSON: We welcome you.  We thank you for accompanying Mr Manamela.  I will give Dr Randera to make an oath with you and Dr Russel Ally will lead your testimony.

DR RANDERA: Mr Manamela, good morning.  Can you please stand?  If you will just repeat after me.

PITSO P MANAMELA: (Duly sworn in, states).

CHAIRPERSON: Over to Dr Ally.

RUSSELL ALLY: Good morning to you.  Mr Manamela, you are coming to speak to us about torture which you experienced in 1986.  This torture happened against the background of the conflict around Vleifontein and the attempt to incorporate Vleifontein into the former Venda homeland.  We ask you just to tell us what actually happened to you and also some of the events which led to you being tortured.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Louis Trichardt — 1997-04-09

THOMAS MANTHATA: Thank you.  After all said and done the community of Vleifontein was never removed?

PITSO P MANAMELA: No, they were not removed.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Would we assume that there is peace in that community, that is that those who were resisting a removal and those who were willing to be removed, have they since reconciled amongst themselves?

PITSO P MANAMELA: The others were still prepared to go back to Tshikota and ....

MS SEROKE: Mr Manamela, you say that the Vleifontein Crisis Committee resisted being incorporated into Venda.  What methods did they use to resist?  What were, you know, kinds of protest that they used?

PITSO P MANAMELA: We wrote letters to the Venda Government and those who make us to be found in Vleifontein.  That is all.

MS SEROKE: Were those letters ever replied?

PITSO P MANAMELA: No, they were not replied.

MS SEROKE: When you were removed from Tshikota to Vleifontein, were you compensated for your homes in Tshikota?

PITSO P MANAMELA: No, we were not compensated.

MS SEROKE: After you were tortured, during your ten months spell in prison, did you get any medical attention?

PITSO P MANAMELA: Yes, I went and consulted them because of headache.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much, Mr Manamela, for appearing here.  Obviously this has really, has greatly affected your life and your time that was wasted in prison when you had such ambitions.  We have noted the request that you have made to the Truth Commission.  The Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee have recently announced their policy to the Government and as you know, that policy is going to be handed over to the Government, with recommendations.  We have noted that you still want to continue with your education and I am sure with the adult education programmes that are present in the various provinces such a request could be attended to.
 Thank you very much for coming today and we hope everything will go well with your family, since you have been to the Truth Commission.  
 Thank you very much.
_____________________________
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Louis Trichardt — 1997-04-09

ELISA NTHANGENI: Well that is true, because that really took a long while.  They even asked me when I was going to work and then it was said if you are not prepared to be evicted, you will get your goods outside and then we will lock the house.  I had to go back and I turned as I was on my way to work.  I asked some of my neighbours to take my clothes and they were taken to Vlei, evicted to Vlei.

DR RANDERA: I just want to understand this Venda tax that you are talking about.  Before you had been stopped on the bus had there been a lot of information or publicity to say that people had to pay their tax?  How aware were you personally that you had to pay your tax?

ELISA NTHANGENI: Well I learned it from the  - well I only learned it when the Police were stopping us to produce the Venda tax.  Because now, it was so quiet in the bus and people were not discussing over this issue.  I was only surprised when these people were demanding the Venda tax.  And that is when the bus was taken to Tshitare.

DR RANDERA: Was it common in those days, in 1986, I know there was all the resistance against the incorporation, perhaps against the Government as such of Venda, but was it common for the Police to actually stop buses with loads of people .... Hold on, let me just finish my question and to then demand taxes and if people were not paying taxes, they would be beaten up?  Was it very common?  Have you heard of any other incidences like that?

ELISA NTHANGENI: It was not that common though.  Well it was just there and there, an ordinary searching, but not in connection with the Venda tax.

DR RANDERA: Was it only happening to the people of Vleifontein?

ELISA NTHANGENI: Well, according to my ignorance I cannot really explain as to how it was in the other places.  I only know about the very relevant situation that I talked about.

DR RANDERA: My last question is, did you, or any of the other people on the bus, who were sjamboked and beaten up, make a complaint to any other Police station, after you got home?

ELISA NTHANGENI: Well I did not go to any other Police station.  I know very well that it was very difficult.  It was going to be another recurrence of the same occasion.

DR RANDERA: Thank you very much, Elisa.  I have no further questions.

CHAIRPERSON: Elisa, sorry.  Elisa, can we continue?  Do you feel better now?  Are there any questions from the other panellists?
 Elisa, thank you so much for coming forward to share your story.  It is obvious that you are still reliving that terrible time you experienced.  I think you should have comfort now to know that we are all South African citizens and all those efforts that were made by your community have been realised and has given us good fruits.  We are no longer divided and we are all South Africans.  Thank you very much for coming.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Louis Trichardt — 1997-04-09

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Phulwana, we thank you for coming forward today and sharing your story.  I could not help but feel, you know, very pained when you said that you had to leave the old location to give way for cattle and to see how the people during that time were dehumanised to loose their own homes to give way for animals.  It is something that was unbearable.  We commend you for your effort to resist this incorporation and we hope that things are now back to normal.  Thank you so much for coming forward.
 We shall now break for tea.  It is now twenty five to twelve.  We will come back at twelve o'clock.  And please, when you go out, leave your earphones on the seats.
_______________________________
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: (sworn states)

JUNE CRICHTON: Can you hear me Mr Bongoza?

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: Yes I can hear you.

JUNE CRICHTON: Now you are here today to talk about yourself.  You were arrested by the police.  What was the charge for that arrest?

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: I was arrested because I was a member of Congo.

JUNE CRICHTON: In your statement it says that there was a person by the name of Dyasi and his house that was burnt.  Was there any connection to your arrest?

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: Yes, that name was mentioned.

JUNE CRICHTON: When you were arrested for the second time, you were taken to Umzimkhulu and there you had interrogation for five months.  During that time what was your experience?

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: When I was first arrested they brought me to Lusikisiki and I was arrested alone.   And then they transferred me Umzimkhulu for five months.  I was not ill-treated in Umzimkhulu because when I arrived there I was praying, I was singing church songs.   And the police, because I was behaving well they did not ill-treat me, but the food was bad.   We used to eat beans which were not healthy.

JUNE CRICHTON: Thank you for that testimony.   In your requests to the Commission you make a statement about
Nquzo mountain and your concern for that mountain.   Will you explain what your concern is please?

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: About the Nquzo mountain, the people who died there and who were buried there and the way they died.   When I look at that mountain I can see that it is not well looked after.   I would like the Commission to build a police station there so that mountain can be looked after.   If the Commission would help to build a police station in that place I would be glad.

JUNE CRICHTON: Mr Bongoza there have been people who have asked for a memorial to be put there.  Would you agree with that?

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: Yes I would agree with that, but that will not  help much.   That is why I am asking for the Commission to build a police station there, so that the police would look after that place.   If there will be a monument there, it will not have good meaning.

JUNE CRICHTON: Mr Bongoza, one last question, I want to take you back a little bit to Kokstad when you were on trial.   You were represented by Mr Swart.  Where is he now?

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: I do not know where Mr Swart is because since I was released I never contacted him, because when I was released I told myself that I will not agree with the Government and I was scared of the Government.

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: Thank you Mr Bongoza.  Is there anything else you wish to say to the Commission?

THEOPHILUS NDLOVU BONGOZA: Yes I have another request to the Commission that I sold most of my cattle to pay for Mr Swart.  I would like the Commission to build a church in my area because it was only God who helped me to be released.  I would like the Commission to build a church.  That is my request.

JUNE CRICHTON: Thank you Mr Bongoza.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

CHAIRPERSON: Is there anybody from yesterday who has not testified yet? What is your name?

MR NUBA: Jongindlu Theophilus Nuba.

CHAIRPERSON: Your name is here Sir, from yesterday's list.  Please come onto the stage. Is there somebody else from yesterday? We will have to wait for a statement.

MPHELANQU CHUSHELWA: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Mphelanqu Cheba you have heard yesterday's evidence.   Is there something that you would like to add?

MPHELANQU CHUSHELWA: Thank you Mr Chairperson.  I would like to add, but before I add to the evidence, yesterday's evidence was the truth indeed but in Pondoland the root of the whole problem....
 From 1959 Pondo people became violent because of what I am going to say.
 The first court was in Nonqulana.  This is where the Pondo people met for the first time to arise against the Government of the day.   This place was called Nonqulana. It is the name of the mountain.  This is why people said the Pondo people are gathering at Nonqulana.
 The second mountain was Ndlovu, the third Ngquza.   The root of this problem started at Nonqulana.  My
wish is that that mountain, Nonqulana should be commemorated one way or another.  There should be some form of a tombstone perhaps because everything started at Nonqulana.
 Look, the white man has Vasco da Gama, Jan van Riebeeck.   The black man was not educated and enlightened about their history.   This is why I say this mountain, there must be a monument there.   This is what I would like to add.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you for enlightening us.  This is what
we want.   As you have listened to the evidence, if 
there is something that is not clarified you have clarified it for us.   Thank you Sir for such wisdom.
 I thought that Ngquza was also referred to as Nonqulana.  Now you have clarified things for us.
 Thank you.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: (sworn states)

ADV SANDI: Mrs Danga you are here to tell us about your father, Goliath Danga.  Is that so?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: Yes.

ADV SANDI: Was he a member of the ANC?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: Yes.

ADV SANDI: Was he a treasurer of this organisation?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: Yes.

ADV SANDI: How long was he detained?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: About seven years.

ADV SANDI: Where was he detained.

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: He was taken from one place to another.

ADV SANDI: What did he say happened to him all that time?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: He told us that he had been beaten up and his ears and eyes were also affected.

ADV SANDI: How were they beaten up?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: They were kicked and they were slapped in their faces.

ADV SANDI: Who was beating them?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: The boers were beating them.

ADV SANDI: How was he when he came back?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: His feet were swollen and he had asthma until he died.

ADV SANDI: When did he die?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: I do not remember clearly the year.

ADV SANDI: Do you remember when he passed away, because
in your statement you did not mention this.  Was it after a few months or a few years?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: I think it was in 1989.  I do not remember clearly.

ADV SANDI: And you mentioned that you want a tombstone on behalf of the people who were killed.

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: Yes, I would like tombstones for both of my parents, my mother and my father.

ADV SANDI: Can you please tell us about your mother?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: My mother passed away, but my father was released and my mother was already dead.

ADV SANDI: When you spoke about Mabel Danga you mentioned that she was sick.  Can you please explain?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: My mother died because she was affected by this arrest.

ADV SANDI: You said your mother died while your father was still in detention.

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: Yes.

ADV SANDI: Is that all you want to say madam?

GLADYS NONZWAKAZI DANGA: Yes that is all.

ADV SANDI: Thank you.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

NONI MABHALA GCABA: (sworn states)

MS MAYA: Good afternoon Mrs Gcaba.

NONI MABHALA GCABA: Good afternoon.

MS MAYA: You are going to talk about James Notununu who has passed away.   Is that so?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: Yes.

MS MAYA: How are you related?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: He is my father.

MS MAYA: You say that he was detained and tortured.  Do you have any idea how he was tortured?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: Yes, he came back and told us that they beat him up on his genitals.  They were tortured in all sorts of ways.

MS MAYA: Where was he detained?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: Where Mandela was detained.

MS MAYA: Was this in Robben Island?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: Yes.

MS MAYA: Until when was he detained?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: It was from 1960 to 1961.  He was very ill.  He was taken to Clarewood and King Edward Hospitals in Durban.  He came back eventually and he passed away at home.

MS MAYA: What was he ill of?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: He said that he had been given poison to drink.  It affected his lungs.   His one lung collapsed.  The other lung collapsed too and that was when he passed away.
 He came back in 1961.  Then I think he passed away in 1963.

MS MAYA: According to your statement he and other detainees were given poison to drink and they all passed away.

NONI MABHALA GCABA: Yes, a man from the Mangatywa family, Skunana, they all drank poison and eventually passed away.

MS MAYA: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: Well, my mother died.  She had a heart failure and a stroke and passed away.   Because of the whole situation we were left as orphans.

MS MAYA: When did your mother die?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: In 1985.

MS MAYA: Do you have requests.

NONI MABHALA GCABA: My parents were buried in separate places Their request before they passed away is that they be buried in the same place.  It means that my father would be exhumed and come and be buried next to my mother.

MS MAYA: Where is you father buried?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: In Jusana and my mother at my brother's place in Mcobothini.

MS MAYA: Thank you madam.  Is that all?

NONI MABHALA GCABA: Yes thank you.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

MAVIS GAZULA: (sworn states)

MAVIS GAZULA: Mr Chairperson I just want to thank Mr Jinineka ....  Mr Jinineka has already expressed that we do not want to be redundant, but Nonqulana where our forefathers died, the heroes of our land, there must be a monument there so that....
 A lot has been said.  Our requests are before you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  We have taken note that you want Nonqulana to be commemorated somehow.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-24

MR SANDI: Thank you gentlemen, you have given us a clear picture.  I just have a few questions that I will not ask immediately.  I will ask Mr Chairperson as Mr Cele is also here.  Thank you Mr Chairperson.  Mr Cele I have already greeted you, it looks like Mr Gxabu and Mr Silangwe have said a lot.  They talked a lot about things that happened at Flagstaff and at Holy Cross, you are from Bizana, you want to talk about the meetings that you'd have, we've heard Mr Gxabu saying that they realised that they were not the only people who felt oppressed, therefore if you could please tell us what happened from the Bizana area at the time?
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-24

CLEMENT KHEHLANA GXABU: In our history the chiefs had a big role to play in leading the battles of the land but as time went on the chiefs became separated from the people and walked their own path.

UNKNOWN: When did this start?

CLEMENT KHEHLANA GXABU: It started by them discussing important issues with the government and they'd come to us with decisions and conclusions already being made.  This is why we ended up doing to Albert Luthuli asking what we should do if the ANC is banned.  I just want to add that the role of the chiefs as the people that were leaders, there came a time when as I'm going to clarify, as the chiefs were leading people, they were representing the people and the desires of the people.  Then unfortunately there came a time when they were working together with the government of the day.  Then there was division between the people and the chiefs.  They would be given decisions by the government to take to the people.  The people rejected such decisions.  Then the chiefs would
go to the magistrate, the magistrate who led the chiefs.  Then the magistrate would ask whether the chief was being led or was leading, was he a ruler or was he being ruled over? Then he would come back to us and say that we are going to obey him, no matter what.
 Then what happened is that the chief was not representing the people as such but was ruling over the people in a tyrannical way.

UNKNOWN: I think that we have finished asking our questions.  I want to thank the three of you.  That is a history of gallantry, we are proud of men like you. We are proud to people of a land of gallantry.  It is clear that passive resistance, people trusting the Lord, going to meetings such as yours unarmed, did not start just recently but from way back.  It has always seemed like a foreign concept from India, Ghandi, from America, Martin Luther King, but even in our own home in Pondoland there has been passive resistance.
 It is painful, it is sad because a lot of lives were lost.  We should keep this history and cherish it. I am glad that we should look closely at the detail of such a history. Govin Mbeke should be here today to give clearly an account that people from Pondoland played a major role in the struggle of liberation. He says that they got a strategy from Pondoland as to how the ANC should help in villages like this.  Thank you for giving us this history.  We are very interested to go to this mountain.  
 We have heard your requests that people that were hanged, their corpses should be brought over here to be buried.  We have heard your requests that the people that disappeared, at least their bones should be buried in their 
land.  We've also heard your request for a monument on the mountain so that everybody who passes that mountain takes cognisance of the bravery that you had, we are very proud of you.
 Thank you we are going to adjourn. 
COMMISSION ADJOURNS
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-10-24

NOMAWHETU FRANSISCA JOHNSON: (sworn states)

NYALISA SIPIKA: (sworn states)

ACELINA MADLAMINI NDZOYANA: (sworn states)
(no further translation)
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

NELSON JINIKEKA: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Is there something you would like to say otherwise you can just confirm what has happened.

NELSON JINIKEKA: I would be redundant.   There was no stone that was left unturned.   I just want to thank....
 I was wondering what I was going to say here because everything has been said, even what I thought I would say.
 Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you Sir.
 I will remember what you said even when I am back home.  I will use the terms that you used today, when one is being redundant, I will remember your terms exactly.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-26

CHAIRPERSON: General, thank you very much.  We can have you for the whole day and get quite a lot, but we don't have the time to do that today.
 We thank you for sharing with us a very profound submission to the Commission.  Apart from the unique revelations that you have shared with the Commission today, you have confirmed a number of things which many other people had been saying to us.
 The question of newspapers and how they were reporting events, we are - you will be interested to know that we will be having a hearing which will be focusing on the media and what the media's role was in this period that we are investigating.
 Because they like to pose now as custodians of our democracy but you are sharing with us some very concrete events of misinformation.
 You have shared with us conditions in prison and your particular quotation of a tactic of killing someone without laying your hands on him - a number of people will confirm
what you have shared with us.
 You have shared with us something which I think is unique, how the regime violated its own laws in the process of its repression so that they would create conditions of how people should be treated in prison and continued to violate it, have it in the statute but not implement it, go against it.
 And of course how the regime attempted to co-opt you to the bureau of State Security.  These are very interesting revelations which you have shared with us, apart from many others that of course we are hearing for the first time.
 We wish to thank you very much for this testimony and we convey to you our sincere sympathy on the fact that on your way to here, you had an accident just as the gate here.  We went to see your car just now and we saw how badly it is smashed.  We hope that you will be able to get it fixed and we are very sorry.
 Thank you General, and you can stand down.

RODNEY GOBA KESWA: Thank you, sir.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-26

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you Ma'am.  Thank you Ma'am, and we thank the interpreter as well for assisting us.  This is a sad story, Mrs Koadi.
 And we do listen to such stories as we are going around, stories of children who were fighting but the parents of these children are left alone and they are not aware or they do not know what happened to their children.
 What is the most painful thing is that those who were Commanders of Umkonto We Sizwe, we would like them to report to the parents of the children who fell down, but unfortunately we get reports that there are parents who have no knowledge about or the whereabouts of their children, they do not know what happened to their children.
 The story of your husband, Allan, falls under this category.  You don't know whether to believe that he was killed in Empangeni because there was no direct report to you.
 We as the Commission, we will try to help people with regard to this matter.  Your request is that if your husband died, you want his remains to be brought back to you so that they can be reburied and I think we will look at this matter.
 And I would like to say that this is a very hard request, because there are many people who come in front of this Commission asking or requesting that they would be given the remains of their family members, so that they can be reburied.
 As the Commission, we are trying to do this.  In Durban we saw that bones were dug and they were going to be given to the parents of these children so that they can be reburied in a dignified manner.
 Our answer is that we will try but the truth is that there are thousands of cases such as this one, and some of them Mrs Koadi, will not be solved.  But I want to say that
we promise that those cases in which we can be able to help, we will do that and we will rely to perpetrators and to tell the world that we did this to this person and to show us where they buried these people, so that we can go there and take the remains to the family, so that they can be reburied.
 We would like to thank you for your statement and we thank you for coming here to the Commission to tell us the story about your husband.
 You showed us that you are a strong person.  You have strength although this tragedy happened to you.  We will try as a Commission to do whatever we can.  Thank you very much.

REFILOE IRIS KOADI: I will be happy if the Commission can try to do something for me.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: (sworn states)

ADV SANDI: You are going to talk about Barnabas Mhlati Magawana.   How are you related?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: He was my elder brother.

ADV SANDI: You say that he was executed in Pretoria.
Why was he hanged?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: They came to look for him at his home.  He was not here.   Only the wife was there.  They then ordered the wife to leave.  The wife left and went back to her own home.
 On the Wednesday he went to look for his wife.  That is the day that they detained him.

ADV SANDI: So he was detained at his wife's home?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: Yes.

ADV SANDI: Was he detained because he was an ANC member?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: Yes.  He would open the meeting with prayer when there was a Congo meeting.

ADV SANDI: You say that there was a court case in Kokstad.  Was there a court case in Kokstad?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: I do not remember that...  Yes he was detained Bizana, then Kokstad, then Pretoria.

ADV SANDI: Who was he with?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: Douglas as well.

ADV SANDI: What were they accused of?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: Apparently they had killed a Chief.

ADV SANDI: What was the name of the Chief?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: Chief Stanford.

ADV SANDI: Did you see him before he was executed?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: Yes, some of my other brothers went.  We could not afford to go.

ADV SANDI: Your request is that he should be exhumed and buried at home?  Do you have another request?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: If the Government could give us some form of compensation, because we lost a brother.

ADV SANDI: You need compensation?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: Yes, whatever compensation they can give us.

ADV SANDI: Is that all?

AGNESS MAMSARENI MAGAWANA: Yes that is all Sir.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-26

REV XUNDU: Thank you Mr Chairperson.  First of all, I would like to thank you because it is clear that these children sucked from heroes.
 You brought them up, they would not have wanted liberation such that they sacrificed their lives if they were not brought up by parents like you.
 The entire South Africa and foreign people were there to pay tribute, thanking these children, saluting them for the sacrifice that they made.
 The late Oliver Thambo also had risked his life and went to Lesotho, but he said that if these children had sacrificed their lives, then they were in just as much risk as he was putting himself in.
 This reflects that these children were precious to the organisation.  I know that it was not right that you were not able to go to the funeral, but please put your hearts at rest because a lot of people went there.  Their blood was shed to water the soil that planted the plants of liberation.
 Lesotho allowed us to make a heroes acre so that people know that we fought in the struggle and now are liberated.  Your children's names are documented in the history of this country, that is a monument.  Perhaps you can all go and put a wreath there.
 Please be strong, we thank you that you brought up these children such that they struggled for liberation.  Thank you Mr Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, you may step down.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

NELSIE MAYIDUME: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Mrs Mayidume you have the evidence that have been put before us.   I want to know if you are confirming this evidence.  If you are, is there something you would like to add?

NELSIE MAYIDUME: Thank you Mr Chairperson.
  There is nothing I would like to add because my requests are documented.   I just pray that the Lord may fulfil my needs. 
 I also request that something may be done to commemorate Nonqulana so that the future generations may see where the battle started and men died for our land.
 Thank you Sir.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

KHINTANA MBEKWA: (sworn states)

REV XUNDU: How are you related to Sibunu?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: My grandmother.  I have come to talk about Mbekwa.

REV XUNDU: He also was one of the victims of the Nonqulana incident at Bizana.  Is that so?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: Yes.

REV XUNDU: What happened?  Was he detained?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: Yes he was detained.

REV XUNDU: Where?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: A lot of places, Bizana, Lusikisiki.

REV XUNDU: When was he released?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: He was detained for two years, released in the third year.

REV XUNDU: How was he health wise?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: He was ill of health.  He would tell us how he was ill treated.  He said that they were beaten up all the time.  They were accused of not respecting the Government.  He was very thin when he was released.  Blind as well.

REV XUNDU: And his arm?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: He said that he had been hit with the back of a gun and he could not use his right arm, therefore his health just deteriorated.  And it deteriorated until such time that he died.  He could not work even on his plantations, because he had no strength.

REV XUNDU: And his cattle, his livestock?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: The people who worked together with the Government they destroyed his livestock.  They poisoned his cattle.

REV XUNDU: What is your request to the Commission?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: I request that the Commission give me a bit of money so that I can solve problems that emanated from this incident.

REV XUNDU: You also requested that your roads be fixed up.  I have got a list of requests here.

KHINTANA MBEKWA: Yes those are my requests.

REV XUNDU: What is your clan name?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: Gadebe.

REV XUNDU: You have also requested that we build a tombstone.

KHINTANA MBEKWA: Yes it would be good, because some of my people died.  I could request that as well.

REV XUNDU: Anything else?

KHINTANA MBEKWA: No.   Thank you.  Maybe I will give the other a chance.

REV XUNDU: Thank you Tlobi.

KHINTANA MBEKWA: You are a very kind man.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

NORMA KUBISHI MBWANA: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: You have heard Thlapo Silangwe giving evidence here yesterday.  Is there something that you would like to add?

NORMA KUBISHI MBWANA: No Sir.  I am not going to add anything.
 I am very glad that Nonqulana was mentioned here today and it was clarified that Nonqulana is a historical mountain, so that the next generations know that this was the origin where people died for the land.
 If the Government can do something about Nonqulana we would be very pleased.
 Thank you.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: (sworn states)

MS MAYA: Madam the evidence that you are going to give is about Bambaliphi Mdlamla.  Is that so?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: Yes.

MS MAYA: How are you related?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: He was my husband.

MS MAYA: You say that in 1960, June, after people had been shot at Ngquza he was taken by the police, beaten up and detained.  Is that so?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: Yes.

MS MAYA: Do you know where he was detained?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: He was detained in three prisons.

MS MAYA: Which jails are these?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: Ngoeleni, Moanduli and Bizana.

MS MAYA: How long was he in detention.

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: One year.

MS MAYA: How was he, when he came back?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: He was very ill.  He was swollen up, especially his face.

MS MAYA: Did he tell you the causes?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: He said he was constantly beaten up.

MS MAYA: In solitary confinement?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: He said that the cell that he was in was not sheltered.  When it rained, it would rain on them.  We would take him from hospital to hospital, thinking that he would improve.   He would cough blood.

MS MAYA: For how many years did he live after he was released?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: A year.

MS MAYA: Where did he die?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: At home.

MS MAYA: You say that after he was detained he was bedridden.

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: In hospital, yes.

MS MAYA: Do you have requests to give to the Commission?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: Yes I do have a request.  I have children.  I have no strength to support them.

MS MAYA: How many children are you supporting?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: Five.

MS MAYA: Are they at school?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: Three are at school.

MS MAYA: Do you have another request madam?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: No madam.

MS MAYA: Is that all you have to say?

NOBAWO MILDRED MDLAMLA: Yes madam.  Thank you.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

DALIWE MGULWA: (sworn states)

ADV SANDI: Mr Mgulwa you are also going to talk about the execution of a member of your family.  Who are you going to talk about exactly?

DALIWE MGULWA: My father.

ADV SANDI: Can you briefly tell us when he was executed and what the cause was.

DALIWE MGULWA: They were arrested after Khongolose. They were then detained in Kokstad.  Then taken to Pietermaritzburg.  From there apparently they were taken to Pretoria.  After that we could not get into touch with them.
 When my father was arrested I was 17 years of age.

ADV SANDI: Is there someone at home who would visit him?

DALIWE MGULWA: My mother was still alive. She would visit him.  My grandfather as well.  They have both passed away.
They were there even in Pretoria.

ADV SANDI: According to your memory you say that your father was executed in 1962.

DALIWE MGULWA: He was detained in 1960.  Then in 1961 he was in jail.  Then in 1962 he was executed.

ADV SANDI: Was he a member of Congo?

DALIWE MGULWA: Yes.

ADV SANDI: Was he affected when there was conflict between members of Congo and chiefs in the area?

DALIWE MGULWA: Yes because the Chief wanted to do whatever he pleased with the people.   He did not agree with that.   Then there were killings.

ADV SANDI: Who said, he is ruling over these people?

DALIWE MGULWA: The Chief.  He did not want Congo to exist in the area.   He did not want the struggle for liberation.  He brought them down, all the leaders of Congo.  About one hundred of them were detained.  Ninety four came back and six never came back.
 The ninety four people were freed.

ADV SANDI: When you gave the statement to the statement takers of the Truth Commission you put forward requests.  Do you remember these requests?

DALIWE MGULWA: Yes.   So that I could have peace in my heart, if my father could be exhumed and be buried back home.   Also the children, three are still at school.  If the Government could help me.

ADV SANDI: You also said that amongst your requests the Commission should perhaps do something about the water supplies in the area and also if something could be done about the roads.
 Would you like to add something to that request?

DALIWE MGULWA: No.  My requests are such as you have mentioned.

ADV SANDI: Is there a problem in the community with water supply?   Clean water supply and also roads that are conducive to travelling?   Is that a general problem in your village?

DALIWE MGULWA: Yes.

ADV SANDI: Is that all Sir?

DALIWE MGULWA: Yes I have finished.

ADV SANDI: Thank you.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

MS MQATSHI: (sworn states)

REV XUNDU: You say that your husband was in the Nonqulana 
incident?

MS MQATSHI: My father-in-law.

REV XUNDU: He was in the Nonqulana incident?

MS MQATSHI: Yes.  There he was detained.

REV XUNDU: Where?

MS MQATSHI: In Bizana.

REV XUNDU: Where else?

MS MQATSHI: Only there.

REV XUNDU: What about Nonqulana in East London?
No, I am sorry, I am looking at the incorrect evidence.
 Then he was in hospital in Bizana for how long?

MS MQATSHI: For five months.

REV XUNDU: Was he still under detention?

MS MQATSHI: Yes, he was still detained.

REV XUNDU: After he was released how was he, health wise?

MS MQATSHI: He was very confused, delirious.  His mental 
state, he never recovered until he died in 1991.

REV XUNDU: Thank you.   What would you request of the 
Commission?

MS MQATSHI: If the Commission could help us with educating 
the children.

REV XUNDU: And secondly?   You said that you needed a 
clinic in your area.

MS MQATSHI: Yes.

REV XUNDU: Thank you.   Is there something else that you 
would like to add perhaps?

MS MQATSHI: No Sir.  Thank you.
3

M N MUATSHI: LUSIKISIKI HEARING TRC/
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

ADV SANDI: Let us then proceed to Mrs Ndzimela.    Are you Naniwe Mary Maribela Ndzimela?    You are going to talk about Zofonia Ndzimela?

NANIWE MARY MARIBELA NDZIMELA: (sworn states)

NANIWE MARY MARIBELA NDZIMELA: Yes.   I will be talking about my husband Zofonia Ndzimela.

ADV SANDI: Could you briefly tell us what happened to Zofonia?

NANIWE MARY MARIBELA NDZIMELA: The boers took him, detained him in Bizana.

ADV SANDI: You say he was detained for three years?

NANIWE MARY MARIBELA NDZIMELA: Yes.   When he came back in the third year he was terribly ill.  He would vomit blood and half of his body was paralysed.  A short while after that he passed away.

ADV SANDI: For the three years that he was in detention, was there a court case.

NANIWE MARY MARIBELA NDZIMELA: Pardon?

ADV SANDI: Was there a court case?  Was he accused of anything?

NANIWE MARY MARIBELA NDZIMELA: I do not know what he did, but he was detained by the boers.  I do not know why they detained him.    As the previous witnesses said, after he became ill, he passed away in 1982.  Yes he passed away in 1982.

ADV SANDI: According to the request to the Commission.... Do you have other requests, other than what is written in
the in the statement?    Are you saying that that is all?

NANIWE MARY MARIBELA NDZIMELA: Yes that is all.

ADV SANDI: Thank you madam.

NANIWE MARY MARIBELA NDZIMELA: Thank you Mr Chairperson.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

CHAIRPERSON: We now call Penelope Madikizela to come forward, is she here?  Siwewe Mamtabasa Ngakanani and Poyinda Nagi.

MS NGAKANANI: (sworn states)

MS MAYA: Mr Ngakanani I would like to start with you.  Can you hear me?

MS NGAKANANI: I can hear you.

MS MAYA: According to your statement madam, you are going to tell us the story about your father, Nohlaza Ngakanani Jakada.

MS NGAKANANI: Yes that is correct?

MS MAYA: He was one of the people who were members of Congo at the time, but he was tortured or ill-treated in 1971.   According to your statement he was arrested in 1971 and he was ill-treated by the police in Kambati.  Can you please tell us how his condition was when he was released?

MS NGAKANANI: They cut his throat.

MS MAYA: When you asked him what happened, what did he say?

MS NGAKANANI: He said that the boers did this to him and they said he must not tell.  He said that the boers wanted the truth from him.

MS MAYA: Yes.

MS NGAKANANI: And they cut his throat with a knife.

MS MAYA: Yes.  What happened.

MS NGAKANANI: He fell down.   He became unconscious.  After that he woke up and his health was not well after
that.

MS MAYA: Besides this cutting of his throat what else?

MS NGAKANANI: He was beaten up and after that his health was so bad.

MS MAYA: How long did he stay in prison?

MS NGAKANANI: He stayed for six years.   He stayed in prison for two years.  He came back.  He stayed a year and he died.

MS MAYA: Did he appear in front of a Magistrate for a court case.

MS NGAKANANI: I do not know for I was in my own home at that time.

MS MAYA: He has passed away?

MS NGAKANANI: Yes, he has passed away.

MS MAYA: He died after how long?

MS NGAKANANI: He stayed for three years and he was injured all the time.  He was coughing blood and he died.

MS MAYA: Madam do you have any requests to put forward to this Commission?

MS NGAKANANI: Yes, I do.

MS MAYA: What are your requests madam?

MS NGAKANANI: My request is that if it is possible I would like to be helped to support my children.

MS MAYA: How old are your children?

MS NGAKANANI: I am his eldest daughter and he has grand children who need to be supported.

MS MAYA: Is there any other thing that you want to add madam to what you have already said?

MS NGAKANANI: Yes, I can say that there is something, but I do not see my grand child, because if he was here he would come here and testify, because he mentioned that he
wanted a tombstone.

MS MAYA: Thank you madam.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

NONKWANDA NORA MAYIDUME: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Nonkwanda Nora you have heard the evidence that was put before the Commission.   We have a statement before us on your behalf.   Is there something that you would like to add?

MS MAYIDUMA: Thank you.  There is nothing that I would like to add.

CHAIRPERSON: You, therefore, confirm that this evidence that was put before us is true?
 You are quite young.  How are you involved in this incident?

MS MAYIDUMA: I was three months old when this incident occurred.   My brother told me what happened.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you madam.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

NCONONO MABEL NONDABULA: (sworn states)

NCONONO MABEL NONDABULA: Excuse me Mr Chairperson.  The things that have been said, I confirm them.
 I also agree that something must be done to commemorate Nonqulana.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you madam.   Your requests have been documented.   We will also look at them carefully.
 Thank you very much.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

CHAIRPERSON: Before I thank you I will hand over to Pathekile Bukrula who gave in a statement.  He requested that he appear before the Commission so that he can give his side of the story so that the Commission can have his report as well.
 I would like to reiterate that we are not in a court of law.   This is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  We will call him and his representative Adv Nonkonyane.
 Chief Nonkonyane, Pathekile will give evidence.
 Yes Sir.   
 Can we swear him in?   
 Perhaps I can be sworn in as well.
 Are all three of them going to be sworn in?
 The three of them. 
 Please get up Sir.

CHIEF BUKRULA PATHEKILE: (sworn states)

MVELO NONKONYANE: (sworn states)

MS KHETHIWE PATHEKILE: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: We thank the three of you.
 Before I ask you, Chief Nonkonyane to address us, could you just clarify your status?  Are you appearing as the legal representative for both witness?

MVELO NONKONYANE: I confirm, Chairperson and Honourable members, that I appear on brief for both Chief Pathekile and also his sister.

CHAIRPERSON: Chief Nonkonyane do you want to address us?
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

CHAIRPERSON: We thank you for coming here to this Commission with this issue and it has some difficulty because we heard two different versions of this incident.  This disturbed us, but what I can say is that it is not supposed to be a disturbance because the truth overcomes deception, because at the end we have to get the truth.
And the truth will come out on these two different 
stories.
 I want to thank the two groups that came here to testify in this Commission.  I would like to thank them for answering our questions.  And I would like to thank the two different groups because they showed us that they would like peace in their village.
 Our investigators are going to investigate about this issue.  Maybe they will go back to this village to get the truth so that we can be able to know the exact truth, because the two different groups have said different things.
 What disturbs us as the Commission is that people are scared as the men who have just testified here have said, that they did not know whether they are not going to die or not.   We want to place this on record as the Commission, but these people fear for their lives and if anything happens to them they have told the whole South Africa that they fear for their lives because of what is happening in their village.
 We know that there are political conflict in our areas and we would like these conflict to be solved, so that people do not feel threatened in their areas.
 We appeal on both sides that people would understand each other and we hope that we will not hear that anything has happened to these people.
 We thank you Chief Nonkonyane for... (Tape ends)
....Chief and the lady next to you, you may step down.
Human Rights Violation Hearings — Lusikisiki — 1997-03-25

JONGINDLU THEOPHILUS NUBA: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Sir you have heard the evidence.  Do you confirm this evidence or maybe you want to add.

JONGINDLU THEOPHILUS NUBA: I confirm the evidence but I would like to emphasise the request concerning Nonqulana.  I felt bad when Ndlovu and Ngquza mountains were put before Nonqulana, because everything started at Nonqulana when the comrades were standing up against the tyrannical reign of the Government of the day.   The heroes of Pondoland went to meet at Nonqulana, standing up against an autocratic rule.
 The root was Ngquza.  This is why I wanted to emphasise that history begins at Nonqulana.  This is how it can be complete.
 Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Where is Segilwe?

JONGINDLU THEOPHILUS NUBA: It is in Bizana.
 Thank you Sir.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you for having helped to get a fuller picture of what happened.
 Mr Sandi is going to thank you on behalf of the Commission.

JONGINDLU THEOPHILUS NUBA: Pardon me.    I request that there be RDP services at Nonqulana.

MR SANDI: Even though you did not warn me that I am going to be thanking these people, therefore what I will
be saying will be truly from my heart, because I did not prepare anything.
 We thank all the witnesses that came before us as we have been endeavouring to look at the matter, the Ngquza incident.   The witnesses that came before us from yesterday to today, our efforts perhaps are something that is life to you but to us it is a part of history.
 In our historical documentation this incident is only reported, but now that we are here we realise how much it contributed to the political struggle.
 I thank you on behalf of the Commission.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  You may step down.