Human Rights Violation Hearings — Bisho — 1996-09-11

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  Order please!  Any further questions?  Thank you very much.  I don't know if you noticed that when these people give evidence that a lot of them, not just these today, but also witnesses yesterday and the day before.  Something that I found that interests me in our people, is that they used to help each other without even knowing each other.  You were lucky that you were helped by a relative.  You didn't know her at the time and that person didn't know that, this girl trying to save your life and put you on her back because you were injured was actually a relative but we heard from a lot of people that this was what used to happen.  
 But what makes me, what amazes me is that when we do this at these times of difficulty, why should we stop helping each other during other times because we would have been so far if we could all join hands in the way people did helping each other.  People not knowing that when they stopped to help the other person that they would also, might also be struck by a bullet, perhaps they would even die in trying to help somebody else.  How I wish, I am sure that we all wish that that spirit of helping each other could be the spirit that we could keep with us all the time.
 We would like to thank you because here you are, people that can say thank you to people that were of assistance to you then.  You suffered, you were injured, you experienced pain and a lot was done to you but still the majority of you come forward without any hatred, without bearing any grudges, I mean, you make me angry, but one would expect that you people should take revenge on the people that injured you and this is the kind of spirit that helps us.  Something else that we have [indistinct] is that the majority of people that always come and give evidence here, speak about attorneys.  
 Now we don't want to make a general observation.  The only point is that virtually from day one of this hearing, many people have spoken about how they have not been able to get compensation and that they have often gone back to the lawyer.  Today we heard someone say they were with the lawyer on Tuesday and that they seemed to be given a run-around as well and I just want to appeal to those lawyers who have been involved, are involved in efforts to get compensation for people who were injured in the Bisho massacre, please to be in touch with our office so that we can see whether we together cannot expedite this matter.  I think it is intolerable that something that happened in 1992 has not been resolved satisfactorily.  We would appreciate it very much because that would be one of the things we can at least do for our people.  
 We note that the advice office which is repeatedly referred to, the Berlin advice office acquitted itself splendidly well and we would want to commend them for the good work that they have done.  I'm getting notes here to try and make me sound intelligent.  Yes, I'm now saying it.  We would also be very grateful if the government could expedite the payment of compensation help to settle cases as expeditiously as possible but we say it here once again that we thank you and pray that God should be with you and help you and comfort you and we will try as hard as possible, try our best, to see what we can do about the request that you have placed before us.  Thank you.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION: BISHO MASSACRE - DAY 3 - 11 SEPTEMBER 1996

ADV SANDI: Chairperson we call Mr Kobus du Plessis, former member of the South African Police, conducting the ballistic investigations.

CHAIRPERSON: I would like to welcome the school, no I don't know, do you say school children, no school people, school persons.  I had someone complain that we shouldn't speak about this place called Kuruman, it is Kuru person but it is a very good thing to see young people come because this is part of the history of our country which is going to make an impact on your own lives.
 Order please!  Let me just try and explain, Mr du  ... end of Tape 1, side B ...

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION: BISHO MASSACRE - DAY 3 - 11 SEPTEMBER 1996

CHAIRPERSON: Order please!  Let me just try and explain.  Mr du Plessis is going to be giving evidence that relates to ballistics statistics on the massacre.  I mean he will be speaking about how many bullets etc. etcetera directions, velocity and so forth.  Unfortunately, no, no, I shouldn't - I think that, I was going to say unfortunately it is going to be done in Afrikaans but I take that back, it is not unfortunately.  Afrikaans is one of the eleven official languages.  It is just that we don't have, unfortunately we do not have enough headphones and if you will, I think, exercise, those of you who do not know Afrikaans well enough and do not have headphones, perhaps two people could sit close to each other and share.
 Order!  Order!  Order!  Now, okay, I gave you the break to make a bit of noise, now will you kindly behave as you normally behave.  Thank you.  
 Could you please switch it on.  I would like to welcome you.  We appreciate the fact that you have taken the opportunity to come and give evidence here and we trust that you will be able to assist us to get a better picture, to get a better perspective of the happenings there, but thank you in any event.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION: BISHO MASSACRE - DAY 3 - 11 SEPTEMBER 1996