Human Rights Violation Hearings — Durban — 1996-10-25

WITNESS:  My request is that all those people especially Khanyile from Lindelani, I wish that they could come before the truth commission to come and confess their sins, so that we may start afresh and build a new South Africa.  Because the manner in which things were done, I think there are certain people who are still having misgivings about Khanyile and Shabalala.   So, when they come forward, I think that they can confess their sins and we can go forth with our lives.   We can face the future with brighter prospects.   I even never went to my father's funeral.  I told myself that thick and thin I will always try to help in whatever manner that I can in helping my community.  I urge them to come forward to the truth commission, so that they may come and relate their stories and give reasons as to why they acted in the manner that they did.  And I also pray to the Lord to give them softer hearts, so that they may have a different approach to life as well as a different approach towards other people who are not within the same group as they are, they must exercise some tolerance.

MS T MAYER: We thank you very much, we shall hand over to the chairperson.

UNIDENTIFIED COMMISSIONER: We thank you very much, Mrs Mbatha.   You have told us about what you came across.  /You have

UNIDENTIFIED COMMISSIONER: You have worked with the youth.   Maybe there is something else that you did not say which you think it was real bad?

WITNESS:   (No audible reply)

UNIDENTIFIED COMMISSIONER: (Inaudible) ... today in this new South Africa and you can tell it is not okay.   You have also stated a lot of things which happened to you.   Is there any other thing you would like to add?

WITNESS:   What really troubles me is this ordeal about comrade Mapumulo.   He had little kids.  I still don't know what those kids are thinking today because what they faced it was real painful.   They really destroyed me.   Even today I am still in pain.

UNIDENTIFIED COMMISSIONER: (END OF SIDE A)

UNIDENTIFIED COMMISSIONER: 5B/0 (START OF SIDE B)

UNIDENTIFIED COMMISSIONER: ... and how many youth I have helped to go to exile.  I feel bad when I learn that people are killing youths.  I would like to apologise to a lot of mothers out there that I helped their children to go out, to leave this country and they never came back some of them.   I would like you to really forgive me.  What I did, I did this because I loved this country and I love those kids.   I wanted them to take me back like their mother.   I know other children died.   I was supposed to go to these women and apologise about what I did, but I didn't because some of the women I don't know them, I never met them.   I only knew their kids.

CHAIRPERSON: ... say for the love of this country.   And I think many of us don't appreciate the fact that we are here because of people like yourself and because of the sacrifices made by young people.   But it is because of that sacrifice that we are able to sit here and that we are able to have and enjoy the kind of democracy that we have.   If it was not for that sacrifice we might still be at war.   And we, I think, commend you, you have really suffered int his process, that you have been a true patriot to this country.  Thank you for sharing your story with us.
/NTOMBENKULU
NTOMBENKULU NGUBANE   (Sworn States) (Through Interpreter)

CHAIRPERSON: Be seated.   We have asked Dr Magwaza to assist you with the leading of your evidence.

MARIE ODENDAAL MAGWAZA: I greet you, Mrs Ngubane.   I would like to thank you for the patience that you had.   If I look at your statement, Mrs Ngubane, you were born in 1940, you are staying at Umlazi.   You are here today to tell us about your story and how they harassed you and how you were detained and you lost your child while you were in prison.  I would like you to tell us more about yourself before you can actually start relating your story.   Tell us more about your family members.