Human Rights Violation Hearings — Kimberley — 1996-06-10

ELLEN MOSHWEU: I was sleeping when people came to wake us up, together with my daughter. The was a boy who came. He said Zola 's mum, Zola is dead, Ronnie killed him. When I opened the door there was a cry, then I retreated. Then I ask, who is crying. Then my daughter said is this boy. Then he said let us go before your son is taken away. When we got there then a child came and said Sis Mangi, Zola was shot. He was shot right in front of the clinic next to the launch. When we went there I told that I came get there, then they hold me. When we got there I saw my son lying down  covered with a blanket. Then the special branch came. There were two man and a woman. The woman came to ask me about my son. She ask me when did my son got shot. I told her that my child was there and he went out, the next thing I heard that he was shot. She tried to comfort me. There were witnesses, they said that my son was killed with no apparent reason. This policeman said that my son was holding a knife. Then the corpse was removed and witnesses said that she was not holding anything. Even the witness can say that.

DR BORAINE: And afterwards - after you child was buried, was there a court case or an inquiry.  Did you have to go to the court, were there any witnesses?

ELLEN MOSHWEU: There was no case since my son was killed. Only last week on the 18th,  they came and tell me that the case will be in court soon. Since I am having a temporary job somewhere in town.

DR BORAINE: Thank you very much for your help, that is  all I have Mr Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Denzil Potgieter.

ADV POTGIETER: Thank you Chairperson, very briefly in regard to your own shooting I assume that you laid a charge.  Where did you - at which police station did you lay the charge?

ELLEN MOSHWEU: I laid a charge in Barkley West police station.

ADV POTGIETER: And when was that, was it soon after you were shot?

ELLEN MOSHWEU: XHOSA -

ADV POTGIETER: And you haven't heard anything further about that charge?

ELLEN MOSHWEU: We never heard anything about that. I was still working when that policeman call me to say that he want us to talk. We should go and see the adjudant so that you can withdraw the charges. You should come at 14h00 to this charge office in the township. I think the adjudant is the one who came after Kriel. Then he said that he will pay me, then I told him that I can't withdraw the case. Then I went home, and when I got there I talk to my in - law. The he said that I must not withdraw the case.

ADV POTGIETER: Okay, thank you then just finally.  We have looked at the records of the police in connection with your shooting and I just want to put this for your comment.  There is a reference to a shooting incident at about the time you were shot and also at about the place where you were shot.   But according to the official police record the shooting happened because there was unrest in that area which involved approximately 50 youths.  Now have you got any knowledge about that?

ELLEN MOSHWEU: It was on Wednesday, We were sitting in Jonas

ADV POTGIETER: Have you seen any youths and any unrest at the time when you were shot?

ELLEN MOSHWEU: When there was unrest, we were not in the township, we were at home. There was a church service next door to me.

ADV POTGIETER: So can we assume that what you're really saying is that at the time that you were shot there was no group of youths where you were or no unrest where you were?

ELLEN MOSHWEU: There were only church people. I was in the church.

ADV POTGIETER: Thank you very much.

CHAIRPERSON: Mum, we are very thankful. There are no more words that we can use to show our sympathy. We will tried to do as much as we can. Commission does not have more power, we will try to direct this to the president and see how he can assist you. Thank you.
Thank you.