Human Rights Violation Hearings — Newcastle — 1996-09-10

COMMISSIONER: Thank you very, very much for coming in today, for having the courage to come and tell this terrible story that you have told us again.  And the story that you have told has been repeated in many areas around this province, and also in certain parts of the Transvaal where there were Xhosa- and Zulu-speaking people working and living together.  We know that certain members of the police, and also certain mine officials, especially the security officials on the mines, encouraged the view that Xhosa people, Zulu-speaking people, were different and should be separated because this helped them to control the labour force.  We also know that they encouraged the view that people who were members of the COSATU unions were Xhosa-speaking, and people who were members of the UWUSA union were Zulu-speaking, and in fact this view was also encouraged by UWUSA itself.  However, we also know that the COSATU unions comprised people who were Xhosas, Zulus, Sothos, and also English-speaking people who were Indians and coloured, and that they were working together towards one common goal, which was to improve the conditions of employment.  But the previous Government did everything possible to emphasise the difference between people, and those policies led to the division of this country into bantustans or homelands, and that has brought us nothing but division and hatred, and the new Government that we now have has got a very big task in front of it to create a single South African nation where we respect each other, not because we are Zulus or Xhosas or Sothos, but because we are fellow South Africans.

COMMISSIONER: Your husband was a victim of apartheid.  You have lost your husband, he was the breadwinner for your family and your children, and we extend our deep sympathies to you.  We note that you've said in your statement that you want some sort of assistance for your children for their education.  We haven't got the power to give you that assistance, but we will make recommendations to the Government that you should be assisted.  So we want to thank you again for coming to tell us that story.  We are glad that you could have your sister with you, and that she could help you to be brave here today as you told that story.  Thank you very much again.

COMMISSIONER: We welcome you here, Mr Kubheka, and members of your family.  Are these members of your family that you have with you, are these your children?

JOSHUA KUBHEKA: Yes, they are my children.

COMMISSIONER: (Inaudible) ... them here today.  Can you all hear me through the earphones?

JOSHUA KUBHEKA: Yes, we can.

COMMISSIONER: Mr Kubheka, you have come with your family from Madadeni township, and you have come to tell us a story about harassment of your family, the attack and petrol bombing of your house, and the murder of your son by members of the IFP in 1986.  Before you give your evidence can you stand to take the oath.

JOSHUA KUBHEKA: (Sworn, States)   (Through Interpreter)

COMMISSIONER: Mr Kubheka, just before you tell your story, how many children do you have - just to give us an idea of who you are and who your family is?

WITNESS:   Only four left.  They were eight initially.

COMMISSIONER: (Inaudible) ... still alive?   No, she - I think you mentioned in your statement that she died after your house was petrol bombed, is that right?

WITNESS:   Yes.

COMMISSIONER: And your one son died.  What happened to your other children?  Did they also die, or ... (incomplete)

WITNESS:   Yes.

COMMISSIONER: Did they die from natural causes or illnesses, or were they killed also as a result of political violence?