Human Rights Violation Hearings — Vryheid — 1997-04-17

WITNESS:   It was on the 7th, 1993, November.  Six men came and they approached to my gate.  As they were entering the gate they surrounded my house.  They didn't even greet anyone and then they started shooting.  As they were shooting 10 - 14 kids were killed.  Some of them died instantly and some of them died in hospital.  These kids were supposed to go to a rally at Nquthu, and it was an ANC rally.  It was on the 7th of November.  ANC people sent a message to these kids that they mustn't go to a rally because they've heard that they were going to be attacked if they go to a rally.  Therefore these kids listened and they didn't go.  So other youths from other places came to my place to collect my sons as well.  Sepho was one of my sons.  And then they stayed in my house, and when I came to my house I was from another house of mine.  As I was trying to undress myself - I was in my bedroom - I heard gunfire outside.  I would like to explain this to the Commission.  As I am talking to you I am very grateful to come here and talk to you, because today might be my last day alive, because I also don't know how I escaped all these attacks.  Kids surrounded my body.  They grabbed me, they pushed me under the bed, they slept all on the bed because they didn't want me to get killed.  And these people kept on firing guns.  Because God was there with us, even though I was shot.  Even though the boys tried to protect me I was shot on my left leg - or hand, and also on my right leg, under my feet.  My shoes got off my feet.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... you mentioned a figure of 14 people that died, or let's say it was translated as 14.  There appeared to be some hesitation in it.  I just want to be clear.  Exactly how many people died in that attack?  If you're not sure just tell us you're not sure.

WITNESS:   11.

MR LAX: 11 people.  And approximately six people were injured in that incident.

WITNESS:   That is correct.

MR LAX: And amongst those that died was your son, Sepho.

WITNESS:   That is correct.

MR LAX: Now, the next main incident that happened was in April 1994.  It was round about the time of the elections.  /---   During

MR LAX: ---   During the elections I was in hospital.  People from my house or back home reported to me that people have died at Xaladu.  People had been shot.  Who belonged to the IFP organisation were shot.  Only five survived.  And Chief Molefe also was shot.

MR LAX: Was this Alfred Molefe?

WITNESS:   Yes, this was Alfred Molefe.

MR LAX: (Inaudible)

WITNESS:   Yes, he was one of the chiefs - induna.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... in your statement that there were police involved in that shooting.

WITNESS:   That's very true.  The ANC Comrades at Xaladu did say that the police were there present and shooting, and ZP.  Even though they did not disclose the names, but that's the report I received.

MR LAX: The next incident you talk about was in July 1995, and then subsequent incidents in March 1996.  As a result of all these incidents your house was destroyed, and the material stolen, and other things stolen, is that right?

WITNESS:   That is correct.

MR LAX: The reason I am going quickly over these things is they happened outside the time of our mandate.  Our Commission's mandate stops in May 1994, but I am just mentioning this because these are things that are part of a continuing sequence of events.  Now, in that attack in March Sibusiso Ndlovu was killed at your house.

WITNESS:   He was killed outside in the house while he was trying to escape.  He was shot and burned and died on the spot.

MR LAX: This violence that has taken place at your area, would you characterise it as violence as a result of conflict between the ANC and the IFP?

WITNESS:   This violence that erupted it's due to the fact that IFP dislike the presence of the ANC in the area.  Even some of the IFP members do insist that if you are an ANC you are not allowed to walk around in the area.

MR LAX: At present you are not staying in the area.

WITNESS:   Yes, that's correct, I am not at my place.  I reside here in Vryheid, and I am only renting a house.  I move from one place to another with my children.  I don't have a stable place where I reside.

MR LAX: Why don't you reside back in your area?

WITNESS:   I can't go back to my area to reside there because there are many occasions where attempted attacks took place, and if I insist to go there I may even lose my life.  I will not for any reason go back there.  It's hard for me to do.  Also for the sake of the children, you want to consider that.  And they have been psychologically affected as well, and I attribute all of this to the attacks.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... return to the Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: We have heard, Chief Molefe, about the ordeal you have suffered.  I hear you putting emphasis on the children, about the fact that you are destitute, you move from one place to another, you don't have a place to stay.  What I what I would like to know is that are your children schooling?

WITNESS:   Yes, many of them are.  The majority of my children are still at school.  One is enrolled for marketing and computer ... (incomplete - end of Side A, Tape 4) ... in Vryheid.  And I want to tell the Commission that I won't disclose the place where they are here in Vryheid.  They are at school though.  And I don't have sufficient funds.  I just get there and there, money from there and there, to put my children to school. Don't you think your children are psychologically affected in one way or the other?   ---   Chairlady, some of my children have been traumatised, because this other one loses memory from one time to another.

CHAIRPERSON: Who is that one?

WITNESS:   It's Simo, Simo Mugalasa.

CHAIRPERSON: Is that the surname or the name?

WITNESS:   The name.

CHAIRPERSON: In what standard is she?

WITNESS:   He.  He is in standard three.  The other one is Thabelo.

CHAIRPERSON: What about Thabelo?  Is she fine?

WITNESS:   No, she has a problem.  She is not doing well at school.  She keeps failing each standard, and also now he is above age.

CHAIRPERSON: We have heard your story, Mr Molefe.  It's painful to realise that there is no respect in the community, and again what befell you, anyone could be the victim of the same fate that befell you in this community, as you have lost your two sons on top of the rest that happened to you.  And one other aspect that's painful is the fact that we keep on hearing the fact that police were present and could not provide any security or safety for you.  And some other times we do hear that police took part in these incidents.  But we do trust and hope, and we have this hope, that in the future the situation will get better, and an effort is being put to reconcile and tie the past with the future.  What we'll advise you about is that we will compile a report here as the Commission and forward it, as the other statements that will be forwarded to the President, and the President will see that people like you receive attention.  It looks like the children have suffered this ordeal, and we would advise you to get in touch with the counsellors present here and see if the children won't receive any psychological help.  Perhaps all this - we could attribute all of this suffering to what you suffered.  We do trust and hope that you'll be safe, and we thank you.