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

CHAIRPERSON: You also say that he was then sent to Robben Island where he was supposed to serve 12 years. Is that right?

MRS MAHLABANE: That's where he actually spent 12 years and yet he was expected to spend 15 years.

CHAIRPERSON: Can you tell me what he was sentenced for,
please.

MRS MAHLABANE: In other words, the way he was sentenced,
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actually the crime was not actually meant for him. It was not his responsibility.  His case actually is that he went to Soekmekaar where they attacked the police station. Because he was actually the senior person of the ANC during that time, as he was a member of the ANC. What I can still remember, he was using a four-seater car at that time. He was actually the person who was being sent. Although he had prepared to go with, but he was actually in charge in ANC.

CHAIRPERSON: What actually happened at Soekmekaar?

MRS MAHLABANE: That's where they said they actually exploded, they said - they did not explain to us are they people responsible for the explosion or not.

CHAIRPERSON: At this point in time, what is it that you actually looking at the Commission doing for your brother?

MRS MAHLABANE: What we are requesting the Commission to do for us, now that he was a member of the ANC, it was also difficult for us. He was actually expected to receive his remuneration as he is having five children and he cannot work any longer. He can't have means to look after the children, and to prepare for their future. Although we did approach the ANC office, in order that he should get something, to continue with the schooling.  Today they can't continue with the schooling because they don't have money. The only money which they use from the granny. After some time we are here, we actually consulted the lawyer in order to get something. The lawyers told us that the whole thing is still under process.  There is nothing that we did receive, it is under process.  Since February.  Because it was announced that all veterans should apply for financial
assistance. But unfortunately he did not receive anything because he is already mentally disturbed.  There is no way 
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that he can sort of go there. Then he said I should go and talk to them.  Up to a stage where we explained everything, that something would be done. Up till today nothing, he has not received anything.

CHAIRPERSON: Does your brother receive any treatment for his mental condition?

MRS MAHLABANE: Normally we send him to the Goudini Hospital, that is where he receives his normal treatment.

CHAIRPERSON: We will try to put you in touch, I think with the, and try and get the ANC office to communicate with you, because they have passed a law relating to pensions for people like your brother. I think that it would be appropriate to make sure that his name is on the list of those who should receive pensions from the government.  That is certainly on the cards for people who have been veterans. We will also try to make sure that - we will immediately try and make contact the Mental Health Department to make sure that at least he is able to get some kind of counselling for his condition. We will look into the matter and come back to you. However, I am going to ask the other Commissioners if they want to ask you any questions.

MR MALAN: No questions.

MR LEWIN: Just one question, Mrs Mahlabane. You mentioned that balaclava with electric wires, you say he was treated with when he went to Central Prison in Pretoria. Have you got any more details about that?

MRS MAHLABANE: Actually this was related by himself, the time when he was still better. He related this to us. Actually we did not get it from others, but he said to us
they were actually putting a sort of a hat which was covering his head and it was connected to electric wire.
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MR LEWIN: It was when he had already been sentenced and was sent to the condemned section.

MRS MAHLABANE: Yes.

MR LEWIN: Because that is something we will have to investigate because once someone is sentenced, that sort of - it is the first time I have heard of that sort of treatment. So we would need to look into it.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Flora and Babba for coming. It is a very heartbreaking story and one of the problems that we are experiencing in our country is that there are a number of people who went outside, who are now suffering from post-traumatic stress and who in fact need counselling. So that their families can actually live with them.  We have had the testimonies of many young men who were part of MK and who now say that they feel this wildness inside of them, and often they fight with their families and they cannot stop themselves. One of the thing that the Truth Commission will have to do is look into making sure that there are people who are trained to deal with trauma and who can actually assist young people to deal with this kind of factor which is now manifesting itself in the country. We will see what we can do. There are resources for people like your brother and we need to make sure that you are put in touch with them. Thank you very much, both of you, for sharing your story with us.
 Can I please ask that now when we break for lunch, we allow the witnesses to move out of the room first, before we all leave. I would also like to remind you that we will begin again at quarter to two. Thank you.  Could we all 
stand while the witnesses leave, please.