Human Rights Violation Hearings — East London — 1997-06-09

BONGANI FINCA: We request June Crichton to light our candle to give us light in darkness.   Can you please stand.  We have mentioned those who passed away in the massacre.  If we could have a moment of silence in respect of those who passed away in Lesotho, Tanzania, some in Angola and Botswana.  Tembesile Duku, Masibele Maxwell Donisi, Thomson Walter Golite Sipobam, Cisa Faku and Bongani Nkenke.  May they rest in peace Lord and give them ever-lighting light. Amen.   We welcome you in our second last hearing in the Eastern Cape.  Our first hearing was in East London however, even though that hearing was in East London, it covered the entire Eastern Cape Province.  In that hearing we had people from Cradock, people from Port Elizabeth, the Messeshase's and  the others, people from Transkei like Mr Kati.  Even though it was in East London, it covered the entire Eastern Cape.  We are here in East London to-day to mainly cover East London incidents.  We thank those who came forward  with statements.  We welcome our witnesses to-day in connection with the massacre at the station where we've just been this morning.  I think that the people that are going to give evidence in the four days will mainly be from East London however, on Thursday we will have a special hearing that will focus on the oppression of Women's Rights, especially those who are in detention.  They will be divulging incidents that they went through whilst in detention, to the Commission.  The panel will consist of women.  We as male Commissioners will excuse ourselves.  This will be on Thursday.  If we could start please.  Miss Maya will lead us with the order that we'll follow to-day.

MS MAYA: Thank you, Mr Chairperson.  I am going to the read the names of witnesses we requested to appear here to-day to give evidence in this Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  This is the order.
 In this list we have people from East London and Mdantsane.  Nine are connected to the bus boycott and six were oppressed or assaulted outside the Republic of South Africa.  I am going to read the witnesses names, the place that the person is from and the year that the incident took place.  
 Nomhase Nkenke will be speaking about Bongani Nkenke who was murdered in East London in 1992.  
 The following are related to the Mdantsane bus boycott therefore I'm not going to read the year because the incident happened in 1983.  
 Landile Jongile will be speaking about himself.  He was tortured.  Nobantu Tshangana will be speaking about Cifi Tshangana - attempted murder.  
 Nozipho Xofa will be speaking about herself - attempted murder.  Zingisile Mhlanga will be speaking about himself - attempted murder.  Francis Njoli  will be speaking about himself - attempted murder.  
 Maki Michael Mose will be speaking about Lyuanda Eric Mose who  disappeared at that time.  
 Lindiswa Ngwenya will be speaking about herself  - attempted murder.   Nomazizi Gangala will be speaking about Diliza Gangala who was killed.  Temba Faku will be speaking about Sisal Faku who was murdered.  That is all concerning the Mdantsane bus boycott.  
 The following were tortured outside the Republic of South Africa:  Michael Ndaliso will be speaking about Julia Ndaliso who was murdered.  Excuse me, this is also in connection with the bus boycott.  
 Thembakazi Tuku will be speaking about Thembisile Tuku who was murdered in Botswana in 1986.  
 David Gobizembe will be speaking about himself.  He was severely ill-treated in 1984.  
 Linda Sophia Tonisi will be speaking about Masibulele Maxwell Tonisi who was murdered in Angola.   
 Nokuzolangcai Koliti will be speaking about Tamsanqa Walter Koliti who was murdered in Tanzania.  
 Mbongeni Nicholas Bam will be speaking about Sipho Bam who was also murdered in Lesotho.  That is all Mr Chairperson.  Thank you.

BONGANI FINCA: Thank you Miss Maya.  We request that  Mr Ngikelana, who is one of the leaders of the day, give us the background of what was happening in the community at that time so that we can put this hearing in perspective and a good context.

MR NGIKELANA: Thank you Mr Chairperson, I am grateful to have this opportunity to contribute towards the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  I just want to clarify something.  The problem is I made my statement in English but we're apparently supposed to be speaking Xhosa.  It will seem as if I'm taking much longer because I'll have to interpret.  If I could speak in English it would go faster.

BONGANI FINCA: Please yourself.  You are allowed to use any language that you are comfortable with.  If you would like to speak English, it is all right however, the majority of the audience will have to get an interpretation device.