Human Rights Violation Hearings — Heiderveld — 1996-04-22

MS TITUS: Yes when he was a child he did some work at the Counsel, but then they retrenched some people and he was also retrenched and he was still very young.  And after that they didn't really want him back.
After the incident he went to work for Snowflake in Salt River.  And the employers there also explained that they couldn't keep him on because if anything had to happen to him, during work hours, then they would get into trouble.  So he did want to help me to give him a job, but they couldn't.
And my husband only earned R90-00 at the time and we had a lot of children, so we really suffered.  So it's through God's mercy that this child is still alive today.  And the Catholic priest also assisted me a great deal.  They were always support me, they took me to hospital in the evenings, mornings, afternoons.

ADV POTGIETER: Apart from the shooting, the wound to his stomach, anything else that was wrong with him after the incident?

MS TITUS: No.

ADV POTGIETER: And mentally?

MS TITUS: The doctor told me that he'll never be the child that he use to be before the incident and he is a bit difficult now.  He frigates with his clothes and his - he doesn't remember to well, he is not quite normal like other children.  So he is not quite mentally sound after the shooting yes that is so.

ADV POTGIETER: Now you say that after the incident, a policeman came to visit you.

MS TITUS: The policeman came to our house to apologise, he said that he was very sorry for having shot the child, because he also has a wife and children.

ADV POTGIETER: Do you know this policeman?

MS TITUS: No I don't.

ADV POTGIETER: And you say that he was from the Philippi police station.

MS TITUS: Yes, but I must just tell you, his wife has a lot of trouble with him and I am really sorry because he is my oldest child, he has a wife and three children.

ADV POTGIETER: You say that after the incident he was taken to Court.

MS TITUS: Yes he was taken to Court.  And the Magistrate said that he finds him guilty, but that he has already served his sentence.  He is already been punished.

ADV POTGIETER: What was alleged in Court - what was the charge?

MS TITUS: No they didn't - they didn't say - they just said that they convicting him.
And you said that later you moved to Mitchell's Plain is that correct?

MS TITUS: Yes.

ADV POTGIETER: And was he locked up again?

MS TITUS: Yes he was picked up one morning on his way to the shop and they picked him up.  They said it was the State of  Emergency, but that time of the morning it was 830 when they picked him up and they refused to tell me where he was.  They told me I must go and look for him myself.

ADV POTGIETER: So they told you - he was picked up under the State of Emergency.

MS TITUS: Yes but it was 830 in the morning, and it was just because he went to the shop.

ADV POTGIETER: You say he spent 14 days in Victor Verster Prison?

MS TITUS: Yes.

ADV POTGIETER: And he was then released?

MS TITUS: Yes after 14 days.

ADV POTGIETER: He was never charged?

MS TITUS: You see something that makes me very sad is that night and day I couldn't sleep, I worried so about where is my child and the doctors from Groote Schuur eventually found out where he was, they found him at Victor Verster.

ADV POTGIETER: What is his situation now?

MS TITUS: Sir actually to tell the truth, he receives a maintenance grant of R410-00 a month and out of that he must pay his rent, water, and his wife also receives maintenance.  She has two credit cards that she must pay and she's got three children to look after.

ADV POTGIETER: How do you feel about the shooting incident in which your son was involved?

MS TITUS: Oh! sir the child is still - still suffering as a result of it, he is really still suffering.

ADV POTGIETER: Is there anything else that would like to add or something, a request that you would like to make to the Commission.

MS TITUS: Yes well that's why I am here today.  I want to ask, you see they got a house, but they got nothing in it.

ADV POTGIETER: You say that he's got three children.

MS TITUS: Yes.

ADV POTGIETER: How old are they?

MS TITUS: 8, 7 and 3.

ADV POTGIETER: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

MS TITUS: I really just want to ask for assistance for them because financially really they suffering.  They waited for ten years for a house, but he is still under medical treatment at the day hospital.  He still receives treatment at the hospital.

ADV POTGIETER: Until this day?

MS TITUS: Yes and that's why I brought the papers so that you can see he is still receiving medical treatment at the day hospital.

ADV POTGIETER: Thank you very much - is your daughter-in-law  is there anything she would like to add?   Oh! I just wanted to ask if there is anybody who wants to put a question - do you want to put a question.

<UNKNOWN>: When Johannes was shot, was anybody present, any eyewitness to this incident?

MS TITUS: Well my one little son went to look for him, because they wanted to eat the fish and he was 10 years old the other son and he just  mommy, the only thing I could do - I just had to run because the boere they aimed the gun at him.

<UNKNOWN>: Was he the only child shot on that particular day?

MS TITUS: Yes he was the only child walking down the road.

<UNKNOWN>: Did you ever find out the policeman's name?

MS TITUS: No, the policeman came to my house that night, he didn't give his name.

<UNKNOWN>: Did you ever go to an attorney?

MS TITUS: Yes, I went to Mr Ebrahim and he represented him at Court.

<UNKNOWN>: And what was the charge when he appeared in Court?

MS TITUS: It was such a long time ago, the only thing I know is that the Magistrate just said you are guilty - I find you guilty, but you've already served your sentence and you've already been punished.  That's all I can remember.

<UNKNOWN>: And the name of the priest who took you to the hospital?

MS TITUS: I can't remember, I just know it's the Catholic Church in Hanover Park Avenue, it's on the corner there, but I can't remember the priest's name, it's too long ago.

<UNKNOWN>: Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much, we very grateful that you came here today to pour out your grief.  To reveal it to us all.  We hope that we will be able to assist you in answering your questions and giving you some assistance.  May I just ask that he shows the public where and how he was shot?

DR BORAINE: You are Ms Marilyn Titus?

MS TITUS: Yes.

DR BORAINE: [indistinct] to add something to the story, are you prepared to take the oath.

MS TITUS: Yes.

DR BORAINE: Would you stand please.
MARILYN  TITUS Duly sworn states

DR BORAINE: Thank you very much.

ADV POTGIETER: Thank you Mr Chairman, madam you wanted to add something to the testimony already given by your mother-in-law regarding the circumstances - your own circumstances and those of your family is that correct?

MS TITUS: Yes.

ADV POTGIETER: You could go ahead and tell us.

MS TITUS: I just wanted to say that - that Johannes Titus has suffered a lot for the 10 years that I've looked after him, he has been more sick than anything else.  He can't tolerate food like other people and he lives on jelly, custard and ice cream.  And he has to visit the doctors a lot and I have a house, no 10 Waterval Street in Mitchell's Plain and I got the house two months ago and as you know rent is very high.
He receives R410-00 a month and I receive R991-00 a month, but the money which he receives he has to use to pay the rent ,water and electricity and I have to use my money to pay for food, clothes and so forth for the children.

ADV POTGIETER: Do you work?

MS TITUS: No I don't work.

ADV POTGIETER: Do you receive a grant?

MS TITUS: Yes.

ADV POTGIETER: And also some maintenance for the children.  How long did you have to wait for the house?

MS TITUS: 10 Years.