Human Rights Violation Hearings — Port Elizabeth — 1996-06-26

MRS MTIMKHULU: Thank you sir.  We got the clue from the newspapers, I think it was in February in 1990.    There was an extensive coverage in the newspapers and Dirk Coetzee is the person who is alleged to have given information to the journalists.  He mentioned my son's disappearance and Siswe Xondile, he mentioned them as one of the highlights of their extensive disruptions, mentioning that they had killed Xondile and my son.
 That is the only clue that led us to try and search 
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again for our son.   Most of the things that took place thereafter, were related to the information that we received and read from the papers.

MR NTSEBEZA: Is the report in the papers, the report that was also contained in the Harms Commission?

MRS MTIMKHULU: Yes.

MR NTSEBEZA: Is the information received from Dirk Coetzee, who - do you think should appear?

MRS MTIMKHULU: Commissioner, I would like to mention that I was very glad when I heard that he was going to appear in this hearings.  I was glad because I was not going to say things that I am not sure about.
 I wouldn't be talking about something which I said it is the allegation on the papers, I was glad that he was going to say it personally and inform us that he is the person who gave that information.
 I was very hurt that I learnt that he is not here, I still want him to appear.  To me it won't be proper to say the Commission has done its work unless Dirk Coetzee can come forward.  I am worried because even in East London I was prohibited from giving evidence because of Van Rensburg and Du Preez, because they are the people who gave the information that the poison was sent by him to them.
 Dirk knows a lot about the poisoning.  I would really like him to be subpoenaed so that he can come and give evidence.

MR NTSEBEZA: In other words if I can get clarification, do you want the Commission to try their best, even if there are any interdicts, the Commission should fight that they should bring him along?

MRS MTIMKHULU: Yes.  I would like to say I was worried when
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Mr Bangani yesterday told me that Dirk won't be here.  I thought that yesterday when I met Bangani, would inform me that Dirk would be here.  I am certain that most of the people who are here today, was certain that they were going to see this hefty person who was going to appear today.

MR NTSEBEZA: I would like to promise you that the day will
come one day, the promise might be fulfilled.  Would you like the Doctor who gave you the findings about the poisoning, would you like him to appear before the Commission?

MRS MTIMKHULU: Yes, Professor Ames is the person who is important to this evidence.

MR NTSEBEZA: What would you like the Commission to assist you with?

MRS MTIMKHULU: Excuse me Commissioner, I have just a little point that I would like to mention.  It has just come to my mind that Siphiwo at the time when he was taken to the sea by those men that I had already mentioned, he mentioned that there were things which were put on him, either on the hands, the fingers or the toes.
 Apparently they would press a button somewhere, but he would feel that there were waves, shock waves which were going through his body.  I believe it was the electricity shock.  That type of torture is one of the most important things that he used to mention as one of the ways to torture him.
 I'd like the Commission to know also about that type of torture that he experienced.  Again, I'd like to mention the fact that I've already informed this house that I knew that Siphiwo went to Livingstone Hospital and that is the time that I can say it is the last time that I saw him.
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 But I can mention the fact that it didn't end there.  There was a rumour that he was also here in New Brighton.  He went to Lulu Johnson's place.  Topsy Madaka also knows, he also went to Pinky's place, Pinky Nqanono at Masangwana.  He met Themba Mangqase.
 I think it is the day when he went out of Livingstone
Hospital, he went to Lulu, Themba Mangqase, Tango.  I think I would say much about them, because they are here, I think they are the people who are going to give us details of what happened.  I just wanted to highlight also this because so many things happened and I might be muddling up some of the things, but I am certain about the fact that when he left the hospital these people that I've already mentioned, were also involved.
 If I've left something out, I'd request the Commission to call Zukizwa, because I don't want to leave anything out.  Have I finished everything, have I said everything, Zukizwa?
 Yes?  Commissioner I'd like to request and make this appeal - I can say he was a bit naughty because he bore children before he could reach that stage, he was still very young at the time.  
 That is why I say he had no right, he was not yet ready for that, that is why I say he was naughty.  Those children are here amongst us.  I always sympathise with them when I see them, Alotha and Skomboza are those children.  He left them whilst they were very young.  You said I must speak the truth so I am trying to do so. 
 Siphiwo never contributed anything towards their maintenance, because when he got his first child, he was already exposed to the police and subjected to their harassment.
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 With the second child he had already been poisoned.  This poison was always mentioned by Nieuwoudt when he was threatening the others like he would say we will torture you and do as we have done with Siphiwo.  Those children are amongst us here, they struggle to make ends meet.  I can say their mothers are now married.
 I can say he had a very beautiful hand because each girlfriend used to get married when she had treated him.

MR NTSEBEZA: Order please.