Human Rights Violation Hearings — King William's Town — 1997-05-14

CHAIRPERSON: I would like to greet you Sir, this afternoon.   Mr Jackson Malibishe Bani.  Please stand up.  Can you hear properly ?.

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: (sworn states)

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Sir.  You may sit down.  Mr Tsiki Sandi.  Thank you, Mr Chairman.

MR SANDI: Mr Bani, you are here to tell us about what happened at your home, but it was not only your home, it was together with other families.  You were, forcefully removed from Bluerock Farm to Potsdam.  Is that correct Sir ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Yes, that is correct.

MR SANDI: Who was forcefully removing here, you from Bluerock Farm ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: I, we were told that Sebe wanted us to be removed from Bluerock Farm.

MR SANDI: For how long did you stay in Bluerock Farm ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: I'm not sure, but it was not for a long time.

MR SANDI: You say that the Ciskeian police came.

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Yes.  At that time, I had a place in Kadi, I arrived in the morning from work.
When I arrived, people were forcefully removed.

MR SANDI: You said that there was damage done by the police, due to this.

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: I did not see this.

MR SANDI: You furniture, did, were, was it damaged ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: What I heard is that Reggie's chicken were removed, were also taken.

MR SANDI: Who is Reggie ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Reggie is a white farmer.

MR SANDI: You were then taken to Potsdam.  Were there any other people who were helping the police in this act ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Yes, there were people who helped the police.

MR SANDI: Were they helping the police, in which way, what were they doing ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: They were taking people with their lorries, removing them from this place.

MR SANDI: Are these people known as the Vigilantes ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: No.   They are the people from the Municipality.

MR SANDI: Were you staying in shacks or in houses ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Some were staying in shacks and some in houses.

MR SANDI: You were then taken to Potsdam ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Yes, we are removed to Potsdam.

MR SANDI: Were you promised, did anyone promise to build houses for you in Potsdam ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: We were not told anything, we were just forcefully removed.

MR SANDI: In your statement, Mr Bani, you said that the Government of Ciskei promised you to build houses in Potsdam.  Is that correct ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: No, that is not correct.  No houses were built.

MR SANDI: Was there a promise ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: I don't know, maybe I didn't hear about it.

MR SANDI: Mr Bani, do have a request to the Commission to-day ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Yes, I do, because our furniture was damaged, it was very difficult for us especially in Potsdam.

MR SANDI: In your statement you mentioned that you'd like the Truth Commission to do whatever it feels necessary.

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: I'm here to make my request.

MR SANDI: Please tell us your request, Sir.

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Yes, I'm going to tell your request.

MR SANDI: Please tell us, Sir.

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: I don't know what the Commission can do for me, but I would  like to do a request to the Government.

MR SANDI: Thank you, Sir.  Is that all you wanted to say ?  Is that all you wanted to say concerning this matter Sir ?

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: But there are also details I didn't ask about, but we do have them in our statements.

MR SANDI: When I was asking you questions, I did not ask you everything, because I noted that we have information in our statements.

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Yes, you do have an information, but I don't know why you did not ask me.

MR SANDI: Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Mr Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: We thank you, Sir.  It is clear that you are an old man now, but we do
have details of your story in front of us.  We've also noted your request that you would like the Government to do, to help you because you lost your furniture and your house.  We'll forward you request to those in authority.  Thank you, Sir, you may now go back to your seat.

JACKSON MALIBISHE BANI: Thank you.