Human Rights Violation Hearings — Mooiriver — 1997-05-28

WITNESS:   I am not really sure, I have never been there.

CHAIRPERSON: I just would like to explain this.  It's easier for us to make provisions with regard to government schools, that is from first year up to the standard 10, because we have already made arrangements with the Minister of Education, and we write letters so that these children do not pay for their schooling, their school fees, and they also do not pay for their text books.  But it's very difficult for us to approach private schools with this proposition.  Now you must give further details with regard to that school so that we can try and find out as to what type of schools these are, so that we will be able at a later date to write letters to these particular  schools and make this request that I have already

CHAIRPERSON: mentioned.

CHAIRPERSON: /CHAIRMAN

CHAIRPERSON: The next witness is Nomusa ... (inaudible - end of Side B, Tape 4)  (Pause)  Good afternoon, Mrs Zuma.  You have come to tell us about the death of your husband, and I think you're the first witness today who is not from Brandville township.  You are coming from Howick today, and, as I said, you've come to tell us about the death of your husband in 1994.  Before you tell that story can you please stand to take the oath.

UNKNOWN: (Sworn, States)

CHAIRPERSON: Dr Mgojo will help you now.

KHOZA MGOJO: I greet you, Mrs Zuma.  I must say we appreciate that you are here to tell us your story.  Are you staying at Gaza Road in Howick?

WITNESS:   Yes, I am.  Before that I was staying at Nyembezi.

KHOZA MGOJO: So you are here to tell us about what happened at Nyembezi.  Take your time.  (Pause)  Nomusa, I would like you to paint a picture to us of your family, your whole family, your children and your husband, Jeremiah.  How many children do you have?

WITNESS:   I have three children.

KHOZA MGOJO: How many boys?

WITNESS:   I have two sons and one daughter.

KHOZA MGOJO: Can I have their names?

WITNESS:   The first-born, Mfumundo.

KHOZA MGOJO: Is he in school?

WITNESS:   Yes, he is in technikon, Pietermaritzburg Technikon.

KHOZA MGOJO: How old is he?

WITNESS:   19 years old.  The second-born his name is Luwazi.

KHOZA MGOJO: How old is Luwazi?

WITNESS:   He is 17 years old.  He is in Polela Institution.

KHOZA MGOJO: And then your last-born?

WITNESS:   Nomphilo.  She is nine years old.

KHOZA MGOJO: Is she in school?

WITNESS:   Yes, she's in standard two.

KHOZA MGOJO: I have forgotten to ask about the one who is at technikon.  What level of study is he in?

WITNESS:   He is in second level.  The one in Polela is in standard eight.

KHOZA MGOJO: I won't take much time because I can understand that this story brings sad memories to you.  What was happened at Nyembezi at that time when this incident occurred?

WITNESS:   There was a violence between Inkatha and the ANC.

KHOZA MGOJO: Who was fighting with Inkatha?

WITNESS:   ANC and Inkatha were fighting each other, and me and my family were ANC members.  ANC at a stronghold at Nyembezi.  After the violence ANC broke into two.  There were those who were known as SACP and those who - others who were the ordinary ANC.

KHOZA MGOJO: What about Jeremiah Zuma?

WITNESS:   Jeremiah Zuma remained with the old, ordinary ANC.  This happened after the violence between the ANC and the Inkatha.

KHOZA MGOJO: And what happened then?

WITNESS:   We heard that people were hunting my husband.  SACP were the people who were hunting my husband.  On the 15th of March 1994 we were asleep late at night.  It was about half past 10.  Just before we fell asleep after dinner my husband went to my children's bedroom, and in that bedroom there were two beds.  And myself and my other child we remained in the kitchen.  After dinner my husband went to the bedroom.  In fact he went to the children's bedroom.

KHOZA MGOJO: Why did he go to the children's bedroom?

WITNESS:   It's because we've heard that people were hunting him, so we decided to change bedrooms.  Late at night my younger child said to me we shouldn't go to their bedroom because her father was in bed.  (Pause)

KHOZA MGOJO: If this is really difficult for you to relate to us you mustn't force yourself.  We can understand.  We know that people aren't the same.  It might happen that you can't bear it, but if you like you can always tell us you can't.  We're just doing this just because we want to add more information.  For instance your statement has not mentioned anything about your children, and as to whether they are schooling or not.  We need such information.

WITNESS:   My daughter told me that we should go to the dining-room and sleep there because her father was still asleep.   I think we rather not let her relate this because it's really difficult for her.  If there is anything more to add on yet she can give all this information to our counsellors, and we can always get the information there.  Nomusa, we are very, very sad about what happened to you.  This is the first time where we shared stories like ANC people breaking into two and turning against each other.  It's very sad to have a friend turning against you, someone you rely on, someone you have been working hard with, and smoothed ways together, and have them to kill you at the same time.  We wish God can help you and give you strength and courage.  We will try by all means to meet your needs.  We have seen in your statement you've mentioned bursaries for your children who are still in school, and maybe you can also give our counsellors more information if you have.  Thank you very  much.

KHOZA MGOJO: /CHAIRMAN

CHAIRPERSON: The last witness today is Thokozile Ndlovu.
Good afternoon, Mrs Ndlovu.  Thank you for being so patient.  You have waited all day to tell your story, you're the last person today.  You are from Brandville, and, like so many other people today, you've come to tell us about the death of a member of your family.  This time it was your husband, who died in March 1991.  Can you please stand up to take the oath before you give your evidence.

THOKOZILE ELKE NDLOVU: (Sworn, States)

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  Mr ... (incomplete)

MR LAX: Thank you, Chairperson, and welcome again Mrs Ndlovu.  Now, before we proceed with your statement we just want a small picture of your family, and we ... (intervention)

WITNESS:   I have five children.

MR LAX: You have given us in your statement all their details.  I'll just quickly go through it with you just to confirm it.  You have ... (inaudible)

WITNESS:   Yes, that is true.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... who is 21 years old.

WITNESS:   That is true.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... Siyende, who is 18 years old.

WITNESS:  Yes.

MR LAX: Siyabonga, who is 16.

WITNESS:   That is correct.

MR LAX: Nokuthula, who is 12.

WITNESS:   That is true.

MR LAX: Are any of them not - or let's put it another way round.  Is Ronnie schooling?

WITNESS:   No, he is no longer at school.  He is working.

MR LAX: And Maxwell?

WITNESS:   He is also not at school.  I think he was traumatised, so thereafter he had to leave school.

MR LAX: What is he doing?

WITNESS:   He is working temporarily, getting temporary positions.

MR LAX: What standard did he finish at school?

WITNESS:   Standard six.

MR LAX: And then we have Siyende.  What's Siyende doing?

WITNESS:   She's at school.

MR LAX: What standard?

WITNESS:   Standard 10.

MR LAX: And Siyabonga?

WITNESS:   He is also in standard six.

MR LAX: And then Nokuthula?

WITNESS:   In standard four.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... at all?

WITNESS:   I am not working.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... getting pension, or help in some way?

WITNESS:   I get some money from the welfare.  No, I get some food, not money.

MR LAX: You get some welfare assistance.

WITNESS:   Yes.

MR LAX: Now, you were born in 1950, is that right?

WITNESS:   That's correct.

MR LAX: And your husband was 43 years old at the time of his death.

WITNESS:   That is true.