Human Rights Violation Hearings — Port Elizabeth — UNKNOWN

WITNESS: Reverend, from 1989, I got out of prison in 1989.  I was on hunger strike for 20 days with some of the Comrades.  
I was on hunger strike for 40 days with some of the Comrades at Rooi Hel and again the leadership of the UDF, I also took part in the hunger strike.  When I got out of prison I was banned from 1989, after two weeks after my release, I was picked up by Dan Sandi.  This is only my second week after I had a job since 1989.
(?) Mr Apleni, [Information lost due to recording] ...characterised by high infant mortality rate particularly in the Eastern Cape, the lack of support for education, the neglect of people particularly in rural areas, and yet there was an incredible expenditure of money that was used for torturing people.  In you I see a combination of rage and yet a proud description of strength and pride and an incredible resource.  I do not know where it comes from, but clearly it is inside.  Those of our people who are dead cannot now describe what happened to them.  Those of our people who have disappeared cannot now describe what happened to them.  Your incredible story represents the story of Siphiwe Mtimkulu, Sopsi Madaga, Sizwe Douglas Mzungula, Abraham Tamsanqa Tyhula, Glen Whitley, Allister Whitley, Mtutuzeli Michael, Thozama Fibi Mani and many others, it is through you that we are going to be able to learn the truth about what exactly happened because those who are silent are now silent for ever.  
It is very important that there are many Aplenis to come forward to describe exactly what happened so that we can document the full history of what happened.  You may not have paid with your dear life, but what you went through is tantamount to those people who have paid with their dear lives.  I see rage, but you need to heal and what needs to come through for ever is the pride that you exude today.
The Commission continues to be touched.  We will never be the same.  We are very proud of you.  We are grateful to you for not only telling your story but telling the story of those who have paid a dear price for our freedom.  Sir, thank you very much.

WITNESS: IS EXCUSED
(?) Chairperson, we are going to proceed by inviting Mr Mtunzi Archibold Heshu to the stand.

CHAIRPERSON: Let us give a chance to all those who want to leave.  They can please do so very quickly.  Please calm down.  Please settle down.  Mr Heshu, good afternoon, sir.
Mr M A HESHU D.S.S.

CHAIRPERSON: Ntsiki, you can take over.
Rev

N XUNDU: Mr Heshu, let me make sure.  Are your full names Archibold Mtunzi Heshu?

WITNESS: Yes, that is correct.
Rev

N XUNDU: Do you stay at 92 Madala Street?

WITNESS: Yes, that is correct.
Rev

N XUNDU: You are here in front of the Commission.  You are here to talk about the shooting of your brother, his name is Mtutuzeli Michael Heshu.  Is that correct?

WITNESS: Yes, that is correct.
Rev

N XUNDU: What do you do for a living?

WITNESS: I am a business development officer at BBC.
Rev

N XUNDU: When did this happen, did you say you were in Cape Town?

WITNESS: Yes, I was in Cape Town.
Rev

N XUNDU: Now could you please start with the story?  Tell us what happened, just the way you told us before.

WITNESS: I will.  What happened was, I was in Cape Town with the Rhoxo family.  I was on vacation.  We were at the beach having a good time.  Out of the blue, I did not want to be with this group any longer, I decided I wanted to be alone in the car.  Mbuyiselo Rhoxo asked me, "What is wrong with you?  Why do you not stay with us?"  I said, "No, I do not feel well, let us leave."  So we left.  We went to Brinton No 62, that is where they used to stay.  When we got there we heard a hymn. This hymn was sung in the house, but nothing rang in me.  I just thought it was women from the church singing.  I got out of the car.  We took all the things from the car which we have taken to the beach.  He was with the man from next door so I thought of just going into the house.  When I got in people were kneeling and praying.  I also joined.  When I joined I found that the message they were trying to portray was that they were trying to strengthen me.  Obviously something had happened at my home.  The men who were praying said, "He is asking the Lord to please be with this child when he is going back to Port Elizabeth so that when he gets there he must not be shocked of what he is going to hear when he gets there."  After the prayer this man said to me that they received a telephone call.  I was told to go back to Port Elizabeth.  
When the plane ticket arrived, fortunately I was with another friend from Port Elizabeth, we swopped our tickets.  His ticket was dated 29 December.  He gave me that ticket.  So on the Saturday I went to the airport and I came to Port Elizabeth.
When I arrived here in Port Elizabeth I was intercepted by the Special Branch.  I was taken by Oosthuizen.  We went into these rooms.  I saw my uncle, Fezile Ngqombo, who used to stay at Stokwe, he was the one who fetched me from the airport, but I was taken into these White men's cars.  They asked me, "Why do you come back with a false name?  Why did you change your name?"  I said, "No, I did not change my name, it is just that I used my friend's ticket."  What surprised me with that question was, how did they know that I was using Monde's ticket?  Anyway, that is not an issue.  I am not going to dwell on that right now.
From there I was taken to Kwazakhele Police Station.  When I got there they said to me, "Go into that room."  So I did.  When I got there I met Liziwe Nzimase who is my brother's girl friend.  I noticed that there was a tape recorder which was covered by a towel and there were cords that went into the next office.  I started signalling to Titi trying to tell her not to say anything because I was pointing at this tape recorder.  
We spoke generally, just asking how was your Christmas and everything.  We did not say anything about the death.
Later in the afternoon around 16h00, no, before that, Oosthuizen arrived.  He just peeped into this room and he saw us sitting on the chairs.  He said in Afrikaans, "You look like enemies."  We were released around 16h00 in the afternoon.  At that time I did not even know where my clothes were.  At that time I thought we were going to be given VIP treatment, but we were told that we should go out on foot.  The money that I had was amongst my clothes which was not with me at that time.  Then we went home.  I asked Titi, "What really happened here?"  There was a Christmas party that was held at Dora, in Mr Mini's house.  My brother had a house at Konika Street.
Rev

N XUNDU: Sorry, can I just interrupt you.  What kind of policemen were they who met you at the airport?