Human Rights Violation Hearings — Worcester — 1996-06-24

MR KARIEM: I did not need treatment immediately.  I could not write matric that year, I boycotted the exam and there were only two of us from Worcester who refused to write their Matric exams during that year.  That was myself and James Mathee and then we asked to write the additional exam and then on the 31st of January I was released on the 3rd February I had to begin with the Matric exams.  I never had any books in detention with which to study.

ADV POTGIETER: What were the consequences of this detention and the psychological mistreatment?

MR KARIEM: At a later stage I was attacked by the Ishmail family  who are family members of members of Parliament.  I then laid a charge against him, there were photographs taken.  I gave these photos to a certain person whom I don't know whether he still has them, so I was assaulted by Igshan  Ishmail and one other person who stood by while I was being assaulted.
My parents were in Esselen Park at the time and I was on my way back to the place where I lived at the time.  And I was assaulted behind the bioscope at this time.  I laid a charge and I then lived with my family in Cape Town and I phoned from the Worcester charge office to Cape Town to arrange to come through to give a statement.  And then a Sergeant Cuttings took my statement with  regard to the assault and these were people who took part in the tri-cameral Parliament at that time.

ADV POTGIETER: Then in November 1986 of that year, what then happened, you landed up in hospital.  What happened - met u senuwees - daar was iets met u senuwees verkeerd.

MR KARIEM: To tell you the truth, I was looking for work at that time and the weekend of the assault - I want to return to the assault by the Ishmail's.   I was supposed to go for a job interview on that Monday but then I couldn't because I had this badly bruised face.

ADV POTGIETER: Let us turn to November 1986.

MR KARIEM: I ended up in the Tygerberg Hospital and I could not give them any explanation while I was in this state of mind.  I was still involved in the struggle at that time and then if you told doctors what the reason was then they said that it was because I abused cannabis.  But it was not the reason for my breakdown because I couldn't tell the  Dr van Wyk what the real reason was.  
This Dr van Wyk was the psychiatrist at Tygerberg Hospital and I couldn't explain to him that it was due to the detention.

ADV POTGIETER: So you then had a nervous breakdown, is that the case?

MR KARIEM: Yes.

ADV POTGIETER: Was there anything wrong with your nervous state before you were held in detention?

MR KARIEM: No, it was only subsequent to the detention and it was due to the assault as well as the psychological mistreatment.

ADV POTGIETER: Do you still receive treatment?

MR KARIEM: I had only been for treatment during January of this year because the Sister who gives us treatment at this clinic was a Coloured sister, Sister Oliphant and she resigned because of the racism of the Department of Health in Durban Street, because it still says at the front Administration House of Assembly - this has not been replaced yet.
And then Sister Oliphant resigned in January of this year due to the racist Sister Kruger at this outpatient clinic - I also received treatment from this person and she was a very unfair person and she treated Coloured people very poorly.  She is still dealing with people in a racist way.

ADV POTGIETER: Was it for this reason that you decided not to go back to the hospital?

MR KARIEM: No I don't go to hospital - I said in my statement I went in '87 but actually only  since 1990 have I been at the Lentegeur Hospital.

ADV POTGIETER: You then decided not to return for treatment, as of January because of the attitude of people at the place where you receive treatment, is that the case?

MR KARIEM: I am not happy with the treatment, I don't want to live on pills and checks.  From 1986 when I first became ill I had to get an injection every month and sister Oliphant was the person who took away this injection from me.

ADV POTGIETER: We've listened to your statement and we know that it was very difficult and that the consequences were very difficult and that you are still experiencing this but let me ask you in conclusion whether there is any way in which we can help you?

MR KARIEM: In 1989 I was on campus but without a bursary because the Government never wanted to give me a bursary.  My mother had to pay out of her pocket for my studies - she had to work very hard to repay the bursary - all of my friends and my school friends are lawyers or journalists or doctors - these are the people who went to school with me in 1985 -   finished matric with me.
But myself and James Mathee for whom I really care.  Only the two of us never got anywhere in life.

ADV POTGIETER: Would you then like the Commission to pay attention to this aspect on your behalf?

MR KARIEM: [No audible answer]

ADV POTGIETER: Thank you Mr KARIEM - thank you for your time and thank you for your statement.

DR BORAINE: Mr KARIEM,  just one question from myself.  Are you employed at the moment or are you studying or watter werk doen jy op die oomblik?

MR KARIEM: At the moment I am working on a temporary basis for my cousin who has a quantity surveying company and I work for him.  But this is only on a temporary basis, I am not permanently employed.

DR BORAINE: Mr KARIEM, the Commission has studied your statement very carefully and also listened to you today.  It is now 1996 so ever since your first early experiences as a very young man [intervention]

MR KARIEM: My experiences actually go back to 1980 actually when I was in std 6. I was the first one - I don't want too - it's not a brag -  I was the first one who walked out of the class there at Worcester Junior Secondary, we were only Std 6 and 7 at that time.

DR BORAINE: That actually, that makes it even worse that your whole childhood and the  life of a young boy and a  young man you have suffered very deeply and you clearly are unhappy and suffering now.
We have listened very carefully and the Commission is going to follow up along the lines that you have asked us to do and we will obviously be in touch with you again.  I do hope that - and  we all hope that you will continue to receive support and assistance from family and friends and where necessary from -from  medical assistance as well.
I want to thank you very much indeed for coming - baie-baie dankie.

MR KARIEM: Thank you.
Ends