Human Rights Violation Hearings — Pretoria — 1996-08-13

MR MALAN: I think you have given us enough information and we would also therefore be able to assist you in obtaining a death certificate.  We would also refer this information to the Amnesty Committee.  I have no further questions.

CHAIRPERSON: You said that you had heard that your husband died in a bomb explosion.  Did they ever explain the circumstances surrounding his death to you?  Was it an accident or how exactly did this explosion take place?

CUNGANT QUEEN KENNY: I believe that this happened because he would not give information regarding the Mamelodi Civic Association.

CHAIRPERSON: And Chris did not say anything about this, about the circumstances.

CUNGANT QUEEN KENNY: Chris said the last time he saw him he was just lying flat and he was just lying.

CHAIRPERSON: Can you please repeat that?  What did Chris say?

CUNGANT QUEEN KENNY: Chris said that the last time he saw my husband he was lying flat on his back and that he was not able to talk.

CHAIRPERSON: So, are you saying that Chris never actually saw the explosion take place, he only saw his body afterwards?

CUNGANT QUEEN KENNY: Yes that is so.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much for your information and thank you for all the information in your statement.  We will most certainly make a follow-up on all of these.  Thank you very much.
 Has Mrs Maseku arrived?  No.  ... and we will be hearing testimony from people involved in the KwaNdebele 
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incident.  People from Mamelodi who were shot and burnt in KwaNdebele.  Also people from the events in Mamelodi.  The deaths that occurred as a result of the march in Mamelodi.
 I think today was a particularly important hearing for the Commission because I think that today we got, not only a good picture of just how many sided the conflict was, we had people coming forward from the Church Street bombing.  So that perspective which contributes to a wider picture, but I think that today we have also, perhaps, had an opportunity to focus on another aspect of the work of the Truth Commission which we talk about a lot in theory, but I think today we actually saw a lot of that in practice from the testimony of the witnesses and some of the things that they were saying, the views that they were expressing and that is around the whole question of reconciliation.  I think it was very moving to hear from people like Mr Clarence, in particular, that they have come to terms with these, with the events of the past, with the conflicts, that they can understand the conditions, the context in which these events took place.  That they never ever want to forget which is certainly not what we in the Commission are proposing, but that they can understand and maybe even forgive if they can know more about the circumstances.  So I think that that aspect of the work of the Commission, the reconciliation aspect was highlighted today and I think that from the testimony of the witnesses, it was clear that they are not necessarily out for vengeance or for punishment or victimisation.  So we want to, again, express our appreciation to all the witnesses who came forward and people who spoke on things which were very painful and painful reminders for us as well, I suppose, of the past 
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that we have just come through.  I thank the audience again and those who came to show support, family and hope that as many of you will come again tomorrow and on Thursday when we have the final day of the hearings for now in Pretoria.  So thanks once again.  Go well.
 The Archbishop will be here tomorrow and will be chairing the session so we look forward to welcoming him as well.  Thank you.
PRETORIA HEARING TRC/GAUTENG