Human Rights Violation Hearings — Kimberley — 1996-06-11

YASMINE SOOKA: [indistinct] cell phones switched off - it is very rude to the witnesses who are giving their testimony to have your cell phone going off during their witness.  We would also like to ask that if you  move into the hall, you remain there until the witness finishes giving their testimony.
It is very disturbing to hear the chairs move and the noise of people walking in and out and we would plead that as far as possible,  you remain in the hall until such time as the witness completes their testimony.
 We now call mamma Flatela to take the witness stand please.  Mamma Flatela you've indicated to us that you want to speak in English.  We are very happy to have you here, could you tell us the name of the person who is sitting with you, we would like to welcome her please.

MS FLATELA: It's Ms Cecilia Flatela my sister-in-law.

YASMINE SOOKA: Cecilia you were welcome, thank you for being here - mamma will you stand so that Mr Potgieter can administer the oath please.

ADV POTGIETER: You can sit, the second Ms Flatela.
NOMBI ETHEL FLATELA Duly sworn states

ADV POTGIETER: Thank you very much, you may be seated.

YASMINE SOOKA: Nombi we'd like you to tell us in as shorter time as you can a little bit about yourself and your political background please.

MS FLATELA: Thank you - I am a mother of three sons in Kimberley,  I am a nurse by profession.  My political involvement started when I was still a young adult.  I have been very involved in the ANC activities which actually at a time led to my arrest during the State of Emergency.  Because I think the reason was I  was then working in the DESCOM which is a detainee's support parents committee because we use to help the children with funds who were in Bougroep and Transvaal Road.
 And the only thing I really experienced is let me say I am not sorry to have been active in the ANC.  The only thing which I am a little  bit sorry, I was never happy at work, because I use to be called Winnie Mandela.  I make myself Winnie Mandela.  But well because of poverty and everything I had to stick out working.  But as from today -  as today I am still active in the ANC.
 I have been instrumental in building up the Women's League in the Northern Cape when the ANC was un-banned, I was one of the people who was called to organise for the Woman's League and most of the branches I launched in the Northern Cape - thank you.

YASMINE SOOKA: You've have come today to tell us the story of your son who disappeared  - will you tell us about that please.

MS FLATELA: Okay, my son Khotso Flatela was born 1967 in Kimberley.  He attended school St Boneface from primary to high school.  But he was expelled when he was doing Std 9 because of his political involvement.  In 1985 he was briefly detained and his charges were public violence.  But after three months they were withdrawn.
But shortly after that he was again detained for they said that it was an alleged murder  of an informer.  He stayed for nine months in Bougroep and then again the charges were withdrawn. After that it was in December when they were withdrawn of the very same year, I think it was in 1985.
And then he came out and still continued with his activity.  He then belonged to the then GAZO youth organisation, which was a   [indistinct]  student organisation.  So when the police started harassing him again I skipped the country, that was immediately after the 21st of March when we celebrated the Sharpville day, so we skipped after that, late March - early April.
I never heard of him, I never knew where his whereabouts were.  Until when I first heard about him, I got a telegram from Lusaka - the telegram stated that he met with an accident but it was not stated what kind of accident.  So as a mother I phoned Lusaka, but I can't say who answered the phone because he didn't disclose his name.  He said to me, the person who was talking to me - no we have never sent such a telegram, we don't know of  such a thing.
Okay,  but this thing worried me time and again.  So as their lawyer when they were still at prison was Chris Naidoo of Johannesburg, I went to Chris Naidoo in Johannesburg.  I wanted him to at least to  find out for me what has really happened.  So when I got to Johannesburg, Chris Naidoo phoned Lusaka because I had the phone numbers on the telegram.  The telegram was signed by comrade Alfred  Nzo.
So Chris Naidoo said that Lusaka said he must phone back after an hour and then we waited - and then after a hour the phone came back from Lusaka, they said that they never sent such a telegram.   But deep down in my heart, I knew that something must have happened to this child.  How can people of the organisation who our leaders can sent such a telegram and then there is nothing is like that.
So Chris Naidoo advised me to come back home, that I must just stay put at home, he is still going to investigate this thing.  Then I sent a message I left with him, I said Mr Chris Naidoo if the child is dead, you must please ask them not to bury him, I'll try my best to go to Lusaka, at least to be  [indistinct]    So after three days, I think it was on the 18th of December, because I received the telegram on the 12th of December and they stated that the child met with an accident on the 7th of December.

YASMINE SOOKA: Take your time.