Amnesty Hearings — Cape Town — 1997-10-31

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: Who is Bernadette Langford now?  
	"Bernadette has gone to be with The Father.  She lives 
on in our memories.  Though the last memory of her causes us 
to sorrow, not as the world, but with the hope of everlasting 
life.  I know if she was here, she would want us to hold onto 
the truth.
	The loss to the family came at a time when funds were 
exhausted.  I, her mother, had to come up to Cape Town and 
identify her and do the necessary arrangements for her burial 
in Port Elizabeth.  This was very difficult at the time as I was 
unemployed, due to the fact that I had given up my work the 
previous year, to sort out our family matters after her father's 
sudden death due to respiratory failure.
	His small business had to be shut down and I had not 
recovered from these losses, when this tragedy struck the 
family.  Family and friends rallied around at the time, I thank 
God for them.  I was told that a fund had been established to 
assist the families, but this came to nought - up to this very 
hour, I have never been assisted in any way.
	I feel I have the right to ask what is the right of human life, is 
it not to be given a free chance to live?  This is what I would 
say if I were given the opportunity to make the statement.
	The past four years have been exceptionally difficult since 
Bernadette's death.  As a result, we had to deal with many 
frustrations such as continually being asked about our feelings 
and our view concerning the way in which she died because 
the community where I live, could not accept the way in which 
she died.
	My relatives all suffered emotionally because of the trauma 
and they knew that because of our culture in which we care 
for the one who cares for you, this was not going to happen.  
I asked God for inner strength and the courage to forgive 
which I did.
	I had to remember to lead by example, which the rest of the 
family would follow.  The hardships have not ended because 
life has become more expensive.  I have a casual job since last 
year, which is a blessing in a small way.
	The men who shot Bernadette, have to understand that we 
forgave them as a family, but this shouldn't prevent justice 
from taking place.  I wish to say to the Truth and 
Reconciliation Commission and all who are assembled here for 
the Heidelberg Tavern hearing, man can do what is humanly 
possible, but God can do the impossible to reconcile man to 
God.  To the ones who sent you, you planted the seed and 
watered it, you saw it grow, so you are very much part of the 
end result, but I tell you too, there is a way to find peace of 
mind - may God grant you the wisdom to understand.

MR PRIOR: Mrs Langford, do you confirm the statement that you 
have read out?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: I do.

MR PRIOR: And you adhere to its contents?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: I do.

MR PRIOR: Is there anything in addition thereto, that you wish to 
say regarding the amnesty application?  Do you oppose it or do you 
agree with it?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: Before I answer you on whether I oppose it or 
agree with it, I want to add to a note that I have just written out as 
I was listening if I may.

MR PRIOR: Please continue Mrs Langford.

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: Mr Chairman, these are the perpetrators of 
gross human violations.  They say as you have heard, that they were 
acting under orders.  Just a question I would like to ask is why 
haven't their instructors not been brought before this Commission, if 
I may ask and if we as the victims, have to reconcile, then the truth 
of the matter is we will never know who was behind the hideous 
atrocity and we will leave this place with a half truth.  I speak for 
myself, but this is the feeling shared by the victims of the Heidelberg 
Tavern.  
	I will explain why I say that justice in case I am questioned on 
that, why justice having to be carried out.  I have forgiven them so I 
will explain that line.
	I will just go on from here.  I feel that justice is that all 
aspects concerning this case, to me, that is not only the applicants, 
but the ones who gave the orders, they have the full knowledge of 
why this really happened.  If they can be brought here or at a 
separate hearing, we will be satisfied as I said.
	And as I will say to the applicants, as I heard all the time, 
they acted under orders which I understand.  I too, act under orders 
as I sit here now, just speaking directly to you because I firmly 
would like to believe that we all do believe there is a God above our 
heads.
	If I can be allowed to say this, and because I believe that God 
is God and I act under His orders and for me, His orders are to say 
to you and to all here, yes, I have forgiven you.  I will not oppose 
your amnesty because who am I, I am not your judge.  I can never 
judge you, but there is a way to find the freedom more than amnesty 
can free you from. And that is if you give your hearts to Him.  And 
you truly believe that He did send his Son for all of us here present, 
not only for a sinner, but for all and you give your hearts to Him, 
you will find the peace that I have found, with which I can say to 
you I have forgiven you and I will not oppose your amnesty.  Then 
you will know what I know regardless of how I feel, regardless of 
the three years and ten months that I thought I put behind my back 
and that I thought I had dealt with quite well, but that was brought 
back to me because of your application for amnesty.	It just 
brought back everything, it put me right back to where I had thought 
I had gone past, but my heart will feel satisfied to know if you can 
receive that.  And I think that is all I would like to say here.  Thank 
you.  I would like to thank Mr Chairman, for giving me that 
opportunity.

MR PRIOR: Mrs Langford, you've indicated the financial hardship 
that the family suffered?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: That is so, yes.

MR PRIOR: As a result of Bernadette's passing?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: That is so, yes.

MR PRIOR: If I could just be permitted on one aspect, her 
education was paid for by whom?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: I paid for her education.

MR PRIOR: And what was the understanding with Bernadette once 
she had obtained employment?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: Because I had to go to various lengths to be 
able to ascertain Bernadette's qualifying, this is very personal, go 
into my personal life.  I had to give her things like my policies to 
ensure that Bernadette could get through, it was very difficulty, as I 
have explained earlier.
	And Bernadette gave me the assurance that on so doing, that 
she would look after me, and not only that, she would educate her 
little brother who was seven when his dad died and then he was 
eight when Bernadette died.  I can't imagine what, I try to think 
what he must be thinking and feeling, but I don't think I can actually 
imagine what he must be going through.

MR PRIOR: You indicated that since the loss of Bernadette, you 
received no financial support from the State whatsoever?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: None, whatsoever.

MR PRIOR: You indicated to me before you were called to testify, 
that was some days ago, that you would like the matter, your 
particular case to be referred to the Reparations  Committee?

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: That is so.

MR PRIOR: Thank you Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: Are there any questions, Mr Arendse?

UNKNOWN: None, Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: I have read the statement that you and other 
victims and relatives have signed.  Without any reservation, I want 
to say that I am sorry if my remarks have caused you any hurt, they 
weren't intended to hurt you.

ANDREA JEANNETTE LANGFORD: Thank you.