Human Rights Violation Hearings — Nelspruit — 1996-09-04

CHAIRPERSON: We now call Mr Mahlasela Paul Mhlongo to take the stand, please.  We would also like to welcome the school children who have joined us. It is very important for our young people that they know about what happened in the past, because it is easily forgotten.  We would also like to welcome to the traditional leaders who have joined us, as we believe they are our special guests for today.  We remind people that there are ear sets available, for those of you who do not understand the language in which the witnesses are speaking.  Are you people at the back able to hear?  If you are able to hear will you just raise your hand so that I know that the sound is carrying?  Thank you.  Mr Mhlongo, are you comfortable?

MAHLASELA PAUL MHLONGO: Yes, I am comfortable now.

CHAIRPERSON: Before I hand you over to Ms Mkhize, who will help you with your evidence, I am going to ask Mr Lewin to get you to take the oath, please.

MR LEWIN: Mr Mhlongo, can you please stand so that you can take the oath?

MAHLASELA PAUL MHLONGO: (Duly sworn, states).

MS MKHIZE: We welcome you, Mr Mhlongo.  We will request you to speak loudly in order that people should hear you, so that even the kids up there should hear you. I would also request you to tell us exactly why are you here today. I thank you.

MAHLASELA PAUL MHLONGO: I am here today, more especially to relate
NELSPRUIT HEARING TRC/MPUMALANGA
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something that worries me a lot.  This is because it worries me inwardly and perhaps one person from outside cannot observe that I am really worried.  This actually goes back to 1976.  I was actually, I took a train from Barberton to Komatipoort.  As I alighted from the train at Capmaiden and we just waylaid there, and we just took some few drinks. The train arrived and we board the train to Komatipoort. Most of my friends got off the train at Hectorspruit and I had to go further because I had to alight there and then get a bus at the middle of the night. As the train arrived at Komatipoort, I was asleep - I am not sure, because I was drunk a bit.  And then the Railway Police came in.  This Police was actually searching the train and the train was about to go back, then he said to me why are you still asleep here, where are you from. And then asked me where am I going to. I said I am going to Komatipoort.  He said this is the Komatipoort station, get off the train.  Then well, I got out of the train, I took my luggage.   As I was going around during that night, I met a policeman, a white policeman.  It was, he was driving a vehicle which was actually closed behind.  Now he said, he greeted me and then he asked me where do I come from. I said I come from Barberton. He said where are you going to. I said well, I am going to the bus stop, I am getting to Coopersdal. Then he requested me to produce the identity document. I gave him the identity document. He took my ID book with him. Then he said I must get into the bakkie. Then I asked him where are we getting to now. He said well, let's go.  Then he opened at the back of the vehicle and he locked me in in that van. From there he took me to the railway offices. It was actually the police's office.  On our arrival there, he said NELSPRUIT HEARING TRC/MPUMALANGA
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I must agree, he said I must agree that he found me at the border.  Then I said what are you telling me now, why did you force me to say something which I don't know. I said no, I can't allow that.  Then he came closer to me. He said I must agree and then he called a black policeman to stand by the door, and he went out to call a station commander.  The station commander came in.  When they were there and then they said to me, they said to me I am a Communist. Then I said to them what is a Communist, because I don't know what is Communist.  Then they said to me you are not a Communist, why are you having this document.  Then they said to me yes, this book is actually, this document is from Mozambique.  I once visited Mocambique and I got this document.  Because at one stage there was a person with whom I negotiated to get some head of cattle.  Then they said to me no, they took my identity document and they banged my ID.  They said to me I must agree that they found me without an ID document. I said no, I can't allow that, I am a bona fide citizen of South Africa, you can't say that you got me at the border.  Then they changed my name, I am no longer Mahlasela Paul Mhlongo, I am now Carlos Chira.  Now I am surprised actually, where do they come ...

CHAIRPERSON: Please, remember that the witness is supposed to be telling his story.  Whilst I will not completely say that you are not allowed to laugh or to be merry, I think that you should allow him to speak his story and to give him some dignity.