Human Rights Violation Hearings — Klerksdorp — 1996-09-25

PROF MEIRING: Can you hear me, Mrs Siko?  I would like to extend a word of very warm welcome to you.  Thank you for coming and telling us your story today.  You have brought somebody with you.  Would you like to introduce us to her?

EMILY SIKO: This is my sister, the wife to my brother, Sarah Bangoshay and I am Emily Siko in Venstersdorp.

PROF MEIRING: I would like to say a word of welcome to your sister.  Thank you, Madam, that you also came to us.  Mrs Siko, before you tell your story as is the case with all the other people who come to testify, all the other witnesses, will you please stand to take the oath.

EMILY SIKO: (Duly sworn, states).

PROF MEIRING: Thank you very much.  Now Dr Randera will guide you through your testimony.

DR RADERA: Mrs Siko, good afternoon.

EMILY SIKO: I greet you, Sir.

DR RADERA: Are you comfortable?

EMILY SIKO: I am very comfortable, thank you.

DR RADERA: Mrs Siko, before you tell us what happened also to you on the night of the 11th of May 1991, in Ventersdorp, can you please tell us something about yourself.  Are you married?

EMILY SIKO: I am married, I have six children, four boys and
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two girls.  My husband works at African Asphalt as a contractor. I am working as a domestic worker at Koos van Staden's place.

DR RADERA: Thank you, Mrs Siko.  Are you a member of any political organisation?

EMILY SIKO: No, I do not belong to any political organisation.

DR RADERA: Can you explain to us what happened to you on that night of the 11th of May 1991?

EMILY SIKO: Before the 11th, it was in 1990, on the 16th of December, there were people who were staying at municipal's place, we were working at municipal's work. They bought them houses to stay there.  Then on the 16th the boers said to them they should leave to look for their place.  Because they were saying there are people who just stay there.  Those who are not supposed to be there should leave. Then these people went to the office to ask for a site, for sites to Mr Salty Visser.  When they arrived there he said to them he has no place, he has not yet allocated sites.  Then I, I was on the list, then the location was Kayeletu.  Then I was on the last street.  People, those people stayed there and they went to ANC members to look for sites from them.  These people took them and put them just next to me. It was on the road, and they put them on the other road.  When I knocked off from work, then I saw people moving.  My husband and my cousin hired a van.  Then they asked them to be together.
 When I arrived the municipal White workers were on a white van and hiding themselves.  When I arrived at them they said to me I should not tell anybody that they have seen me.  I agreed. Then when I arrived at home this van 
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arrived also.  Then I brought my next-door's furniture. Then I told wife, my husband and said those White people said I should not tell anybody.  Then I told my cousin that he should wait until these White people leave, then he should not tell people, then I am going to cook food for you to eat.  My cousin said I am not able to take the furniture.  Then they were using the wheelbarrows. 
 Then after Christmas, it was in 1991, we stayed there, it was January, February, March, April.  Then during May, on the 7th, they entered.  They were putting the axes. It was on a Tuesday.  Then I asked Mrs Pulema's where are the people putting the axes?  They were saying they wanted to bring the dust bins. So I said that's okay.  When the axes were put in, they were put in by Gosimang, who was working in the municipal offices.  They were put in on Tuesday. On Wednesday they were writing names of people for the houses with axes, they were saying how many people are there in the houses, how many men, how many boys, how many girls.  This next-door neighbour of mine would say I am scared, because they are asking how many boys are staying in the house.  Maybe they were saying they are coming to help us.
 On Thursday it was Pentecost.  I was from work and then my mistress brought me home.  Then there were so many houses, they were writing on a board, writing AWB. I didn't understand that these people would assault.  But they went to Skietbaan and then my mistress asked that we should pass through. Then they - on Friday, I went to work. I came back from work. Then I slept. It was at daybreak at about quarter to five. I could hear some sounds on the roof.  I was sleeping with my child who is five years.  My husband was not there.  Then other people were sleeping in the other 
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shack house next-door.  Then I looked and said what's that.  They were throwing tear-gas, and when they looked I could see that there are clouds.  Then I said no, it is rain, sleep well.   When I said it is rain, I could feel the sound hitting on the door.  Then I stood up and shouted who are you, because I was surprised to see this person is kicking the door. They were axing the door.  They were saying AWB, we have no place here, this is our place, this is our place for our nation.  Then I said, please "baas", I didn't put myself here, but somebody sent me to stay here.  Then they hit me with a brick.

DR RANDERA: Take your time, all right.  Can you please give the lady some water to drink, please.