Human Rights Violation Hearings — Mmabatho — 1996-07-08

MR RANDERA: Tell us a little bit more of yourself.  Why you joined the United Democratic Front at the time.  What was it that you were seeking from that organization?  And
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you just said now that even today people are still saying that this is Dan Mogorosi, he is more trouble than warranted.  So have things not changed?

DANSON MOGOROSI: I was preparing for the meetings of the UDF by that time.  So that the whites - because I was very active in the UDF - And I realised that all the boers in town know me and that they were also told by the police about me, that I was troublesome.

MS SEROKE: Dan, when you went to Dr Coetzee, did you see the needle, of the injection, it was long?

DANSON MOGOROSI: Yes I saw it and I refuse for him to inject me.

MS SEROKE: Why were you hesitant about the needle?

DANSON MOGOROSI: I could see that it was so huge and must not be used for human being.

MS SEROKE: Now you say, the police lifted you up and let you fall down.  Now how many were they when they were doing that?

DANSON MOGOROSI: The police were so many and I could not tell how many they were.   Because those Landrovers were very full and in the Hippo they were also full, there were about 12 of them.  The Hippo were the 13th car, because there were so many.

MS SEROKE: Can you demonstrate to us what they did to you when they lifted you up and threw you in the air.

DANSON MOGOROSI: Some would hold me on my legs and some would hold me by the arms and they would throw me up and then I would land on the ground.  And they would kick me continuously and thereafter throw me in the air again.  They did it on numerous occasions.

MS SEROKE: You say in your statement, when they took you
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to the hospital at Vryburg, they treated you for pains at your private parts.  What did they do to your private parts?

DANSON MOGOROSI: They would kick me here in front and I did not get any treatment at the hospital.  I went to Khotso house and that was there where I tried to be better.  Until today I still have the pains.

MS SEROKE: You say you are not working until this day.

DANSON MOGOROSI: Yes, I am not working.   My wife is working.

MS SEROKE: How many children do you have?

DANSON MOGOROSI: We don't have children.  She came with one child, but we cannot have children.  Things are difficult.

MS SEROKE: In other words when you say it is difficult, is it because of the torture.

DANSON MOGOROSI: Yes, I think so.  Because I am not really well performing.   I think they have kicked me too much on my private parts.

MS SEROKE: Now what would you like the Truth Commission to do for you?

DANSON MOGOROSI: It is so painful.  I don't even know.  I am requesting the Truth Commission to let the people appear before you that I can reconcile with them.  I don't want to forgive them on my own.  They're to forgive me as well and I would request the TRC to find me any kind of employment so that I can work for my wife and the child she brought with.
I will end up there.

MS SEROKE: We have listened to your story sir.  We thank you.   We thank you very much sir.

THOMAS MANTHATA: I want to thank you very much and for the kind of assistance you get from your wife.  We heard and we have listened to your request.  We are not saying we are in a position to do that but we will try.  We want to thank MMABATHO HEARING TRC/NORTH WEST
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you.  We want to thank you as well Mrs.  I thank you.