Human Rights Violation Hearings — Umtata — 1996-06-20

ADV NTSEBEZA: This document was written on the 26th April
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1983.  It is written by a lawyer, the State Advocate, he is also Madiba.  It is said Mkushla should be the one to prosecute.  It is said when the Government considered what you have explained that you were not supposed to have been forcefully removed the Government is supporting your appeal that you should go back to your place of origin.  Therefore you and your family are ordered to go back where you came from.  It is Matitizela who received the letter on your behalf, who was your lawyer.

MR XHAKALEGUSHA: Yes, it is so.

ADV NTSEBEZA: This is a witness to the statement that you have just given to certify that you really appealed and then your appeal was successful.

MR XHALALEGUSHA: I just want to mention that I did not come back because I was arrested after receiving that document.  When we talk about reparation I would like the Government to consider what might be suitable for me.  We have struggled to educate our children who are still struggling.  If the Government can be able to see what it can do for me, I would appreciate.  I am good at banking the money because I have already shown my responsibility.  Thank you.

ADV NTSEBEZA: Is there anything that the lady would like to say?

MS NOLENGENE: Nolengene has something to say.  I am Nolengene.  I am a wife to Bonzima who went to seek employment and then he was burnt.  The police came and they found me alone with my children.  They asked where Mpunzima was and I said in Cape Town.  They wanted to know where exactly.  I said I do not know.  We have not yet communicated.  They told me that they were taking me to Cofimvaba at Machanyane.  I asked how Mpunzima would know
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that we are at Cofimvaba.  I also said to the police anyway you are the ones who are supposed to inform.  
 Many police came and they destroyed our house.  Everything was taken and we were loaded in the truck.  We had so many belongings and some of the things were left behind.  My child was left with these belongings.  I said he must go to next door to Getamilies place, at Willies place.  I was so confused and I was so hurt.  When Willie came to his place he chased my child away and said he must go to Mputi.  He went to Langalikanyas place.  It was at night and he had to go alone with his belongings.  
 During the time when we decided to go back to see what was happening to my belongings we found that I have lost some of the cattle.  We went back to Cofimvaba and we had taken our cattle and stock together.  My livestock was stolen, my children were afraid of the dams.  There were big dams there.  Oh God Almighty.  I went to Cape Town to Dunzima.  There was only one house and everything was soaked wet because my belongings were outside.  We lost appetite, we could not understand what was happening.  My child was always affected by the arson which he watched taking place.  I went back from Cape Town, I went back to my place.  When I came there I realised that I have lost more cattle and the children did not know what to do.  They had been looking for the cattle all over.  The horse was also lost.  I wrote a letter to my husband.  He looked for the horse and some livestock.  We did not get, we were not successful.  
 I went back to Mputi and I requested that the police should give me permission to get there.  Zweledumele chased me away.  He is an elder brother to Zwelinzima.  He chased me away.  I went to Klonkule at Batatoeslinga's place.  That UMTATA HEARING EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
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is where my child attended the initiation school.  Zweledumele Botoytishiya, no India is the one who said, why do you agree that these horrible people should be accommodated in my place.  I was chased away again here.  I asked Botoytishiya, you are the one who said I must come and accommodate, be accommodated here.  He said, I cannot help it because I do not want Mpunzima here.  I went to the Mpondo land and my child attended an initiation school there.  Mlonlile is in Cape Town.  He never came back ever since.

ADV NTSEBEZA: What do you wish that the Commission should do for you?

MS NOLENGENE: I wish that my son, he is the only who is now at Cofimvaba.  My husband is unable to work.  I would like to take the responsibility for my children so that they can be educated.  I have been impoverished.  I cannot understand why my relatives could do this to me.

CHAIRPERSON: We would like to thank Dumisa Ntsebeza.  Are there any questions?  We have seen something and heard and listened to something which is very unusual.  It is difficult to watch aged people who are crying.  This is very unusual among the black culture.  I feel very small that I should thank these people, to these old men and this woman. Culturally, my age group should just keep quiet when something like this happens, but fortunately there is one of the old men amongst us in the Commission, Reverend Mgojo.  He is from Natal.  I would request that, please, you must just thank this minute during this hearing in Umtata, that you should thank these people.

KHOZA MGOJO: Thank you very much Reverend Finca who is heading the Commission of this area.  Firstly, I would like
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to thank Mr Ntsebeza for the way in which he conducted and 
guided the witnesses.  I was also moved when I saw the Chief crying.  I am really touched when I listened to all the details when I listened to all the details that have been presented here from my brothers and sister.  I am much grateful because they have ventilated.  We can simply say they have emptied themselves.  
 You can imagine when your kraal has been demolished.  For a black person to have a building, it is a quite struggle.  To lose your livestock and your property and your belongings is such a painful experience.  We wish that the Almighty God should give you strength and support you.  I am certain that he will do that because we are all the children of God.  He is our Creator.  We are touched.  I want to repeat this.  When you presented your case here you touched the hearts of many people here.  May God bless you.

CHAIRPERSON: The Commission will try to consider what you have requested and then we will keep contact.  As the time goes on we will be hearing, we will have an office here in East London and then you are welcome to come and make some presentations just to find out what is going on.  Thank you.
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