Amnesty Hearings — Johannesburg — 1998-09-15

MR MBANDAZAYO: If the Committee would, I think the applicant would like to say something now that he has given evidence to especially the victims and the families, those who are present.  He would like to say something with that.

CHAIRPERSON: That's in order.  Please go ahead, Mr Dolo.

PHILA MARTIN DOLO: To start with after all with our struggle as the PAC.  Throughout history people have demonstrated their rebelliousness against oppression, against exploitation forced upon them by the avaricious, the greedy and the ...(indistinct) vile systems or Governments.
	The people also demonstrated their commitment to world history, a stepping stone to the emancipation of mankind under the vanguard body, that is PAC whereby they call, inter alia, for the overthrowal of the white domination.  That was the images of the APLA.  The APLA images to carry forward the people's mandate, that is of the defending of Azania, its wealth and its people.  And in that struggle the police and the army were regarded as the pillars of white domination of the settler colonialism and that distinguished them to be the prime targets of our bullets.  
	And further to that, police have been seen by the masses as the instrument for protecting their property and the political order of the haves.  So, our struggle therefore, it has nothing personally or in whatever action I was involved in it, it has nothing to do personally with the victims that we are dealing with in this matter.  It was part and parcel of the mandate to carry forward.  So personally I had no vendetta against the family or the one who passed away.  It's a pity that people have to die.  After all, death I believe it is supposed to be a universal taboo, something to be treated, but it has to be.  It has been taking place for centuries and on our part if you happened to be involved as it is demonstrated by history, we carried it out in self-defence and as a mean to an end.  And after all it's a law of killing that the law of killing is to end killing.  That's what I could say.

MR MBANDAZAYO: Thank you, Mr Chairman.
WITNESS EXCUSED

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much.  Is there any other evidence that you wish to present?

MR MBANDAZAYO: Mr Chairman, that's the applicant's case, Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Mapoma?

MR MAPOMA: Mr Chairman, I've one witness, but as I indicated earlier on, I mean the evidence of him will not be addressing the merits of the application as such, but he would like to give evidence as a victim.  So, I wonder if I can call him at this stage?

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, I think we would like to deal with all of the evidence and then we would prefer to hear addresses and see if we can finalise the matter.  So, although it appears not to be on the merits of the matter, we'll hear the witness as this stage as part of finalising the testimony and then we can proceed into the next phase of the hearing.  So, please go ahead.

MR MAPOMA: Sir, can I just get a short adjournment so that I can arrange a sitting?

CHAIRPERSON: We will adjourn for a short while, and you will indicate to us when you are ready to proceed.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
ON RESUMPTION

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Mapoma?

MR MAPOMA: Thank you, Chairperson.  Chairperson, I'm calling Mr Edward Nelushi.

CHAIRPERSON: Do you want him sworn in?

MR MAPOMA: Yes, please.

MR LAX: Mr Nelushi, will you please stand.

MOLALO EDWARD NELUSHI: (sworn states)

MR LAX: Sworn in, Chairperson.  You may be seated.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Mr Lax.  Mr Mapoma?

MR MAPOMA: Thank you, sir.  Would you place your full names on the record?

MOLALO EDWARD NELUSHI: My full names is Molalo Edward Nelushi.

MR MAPOMA: Is it correct that you are a policeman stationed at Meadowlands?

MOLALO EDWARD NELUSHI: Ja, that's correct.

MR MAPOMA: Is it correct that on the 26th of May 1993 you were stationed at Meadowlands Police Station?

MOLALO EDWARD NELUSHI: Ja, correct.

MR MAPOMA: Do you recall the incident which happened on that day when you were on duty?

MOLALO EDWARD NELUSHI: Ja, I do.

MR MAPOMA: And do you confirm that that incident is what is the subject of this hearing today?

MOLALO EDWARD NELUSHI: Yes.

MR MAPOMA: And you were one of the policemen who were attacked on that day, is that correct?

MOLALO EDWARD NELUSHI: Ja, that's correct.

MR MAPOMA: Would you please tell the Committee how this happened?