Human Rights Violation Hearings — Winelands — 1996-10-14

THEMBA NDINISA: He was a member of the ANC, he was in the struggle together with the other comrades.  They would  go from town to town together with others.  They would fight with the PAC people.

MS GOBODO: Some people do not exactly what you mean when you say he was in the struggle.  Would he organize things like marches or what?  Please be specific.

THEMBA NDINISA: He was in the struggle for his country, thank you ma'am.

MS GOBODO: You said that Themba has children.

THEMBA NDINISA: He has a child - a illegitimate daughter, but the child is not with me, the child is with the mother.

MS GOBODO: Is the mother here in Paarl?

THEMBA NDINISA: The mother stays in Kraaifontein now.

MS GOBODO: Are they in contact with you?

THEMBA NDINISA: She no longer comes, it's been a while.  She - the last time she came she came to ask for Mabridge's death certificate  and I gave her the certificate.  Saying she wants to put the child into school - that was the last time I saw her.

MS GOBODO: The people in the community that you think where involved in your son's murder, are they still there?  Are you with these people together in the community?

THEMBA NDINISA: Yes, they are there.

MS GOBODO: Could you tell us the situation between you and these people.

THEMBA NDINISA: They are within our community, they know - these are the people who know how my son died.  There are even people  in my own house who know how my son was killed.  My neighbours - I don't know if I should name them.

MS GOBODO: No that's not what I want, all I want is to know how you live together now, considering that  they killed your son.  How do you relate with them?  I'm going to ask you the last question.

THEMBA NDINISA: We just look at each other, we don't talk about it any more.

MS GOBODO: How did you feel threw the years as this was not spoken about?  How did you carry this burden in silence?

THEMBA NDINISA: Please put up the volume, I'm slightly deaf.

MS GOBODO: How did you carry this burden threw the years?

THEMBA NDINISA: It was difficult because he was figuratively my husband, he was working for my home.  I have 2 sons, he's the one who worked for us.

MS GOBODO: You lost a son and you lost a breadwinner?

THEMBA NDINISA: Yes, I lost a son threw the PAC.  My son who is still alive was stabbed in 1991, he passed away - he was stabbed by a PAC member in 1991.

MS GOBODO: You have two late sons?

THEMBA NDINISA: Yes I do, now I'm left with only daughters and they still at school.

MS GOBODO: Ma'am it is amazing how much you have been threw.  It's incredible that you carried such a burden, but you are still alive.  There's just one last question, what is your request to the Commission?

THEMBA NDINISA: I request that I would be helped at leased to educate my children because I have no money.  My husband earns a pension, I also earn a pension, my children are still at school - they need school uniform, I also request that a tombstone be put up for my child.  I am struggling, I have to pay rent from this little pension.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much Ma'am, we had thought that you'd come to talk about one son, meanwhile it is two sons.  We really have no words to comfort you, but we have heard of your request.  We will try to help you, thank you.

MS GOBODO: Thank you, you can leave the stage now.