Human Rights Violation Hearings — Klerksdorp — 1996-09-26

SAM JENNY SENATLE: I believe they are still regarded as our leaders, and where necessary, to give support they give that support. Even though they are not directly involved in the leadership, but they are still given that respect because we know that they have worked in the struggle.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Now it seems now the situation now between you and them and the police, is there any peace?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: I have peace together with many policemen, but I have no peace with those who have made me a cripple.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Are they still in Stilfontein?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: April is still working full-time.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Being that way, how do you work with them when you meet them? Do you have hope that they would bring peace in the area?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: I hope that, it is painful, it is still painful to me.  I am a friend of man policemen. I remain being their friend but I would not be a friend to De Kock, Viljoen, (indistinct), April and others. I will never be their friend.

THOMAS MANTHATA: During the time when these things were
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happening, did you see a doctor, were you examined by a doctor?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: Yes, Sir.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Was there a lawyer for human rights who was helping in Jouberton?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: Ja, Bell was there at that time.  But in my case there was a problem, because when I was in hospital my father was not informed. So he even went to another lawyer somewhere.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Many people whom you were working with, who were tortured, the way you were tortured, where are they now?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: There was a problem that the police at that time, when they were arresting whoever was arrested, so many disappeared.  Some ran away and we had no boys in the townships.  So the parents were not able to get the information.

THOMAS MANTHATA: People like Benji who were leaders, how did people think of him?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: Benji is a leader and he was our leader and even among the people, that sentiment still remains.

THOMAS MANTHATA: We are trying to look whether the community, the Jouberton community, are they still able to try to build leaders and do things which will make, will create progress in the community?  We do know that things like this will not happen until people like you are not in danger, as you were. I thank you.

DR RANDERA: Two points, Mr Senatle.  You said you had the photographs that you wanted to show to us.  Perhaps you can pass that to us, okay?  My second question is related to all these times that you were tortured.  Did you ever lay any
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charges against the police at that time?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: In 1985 I did make a charge against the police, which I do not know where it ended.

DR RANDERA: Was that the only time?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: That was the only time, Sir.

DR RANDERA: And the time that you spent in prison, you spent almost a year in prison.  Was that just under the state of emergency or was there a court case at which you were charged and then sentenced?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: It was the state of emergency.  Then at times I was just arrested, released and just like that.

DR RANDERA: Thank you, Mr Senatle.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Senatle, what are the other documents that you have got?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: They are from the hospital.

CHAIRPERSON: The hospital records, the hospital report?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: Yes.

CHAIRPERSON: Would you hand that in to us, please?

SAM JENNY SENATLE: Yes, Sir.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Senatle, it just remains for me to thank you for coming, and thank you for sharing your experiences with us.  It is important to be reminded of the price that was paid for what has been achieved and what is starting to be enjoyed by people today.  Often it is painful to recount experiences of this nature, but it is important because it is also easy to forget.  We want to thank you for just having done that.  Also reminding us of the sacrifice of young people in the process that led up to the democracy that we have today.  What strikes one when one listens to testimony all over the country, is that there was a generation of youth that were simply thrown into adulthood
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at a time when other young people had dreams and ideals and were pursuing those dreams and ideals and living a normal life.  A lot of young people had to forego on that, and were thrown into the conflict that we have experienced.  We want to thank you for taking us back and reminding us of that as well.
 Your testimony again refers to some names amongst the police that have been coming up repeatedly in this sitting here in Klerksdorp, who, according, to submissions made, played a leading role in suppression, in adopting unlawful means, of dealing with people and young people and we have noted that.  A previous Chairperson a day or two ago, has extended an invitation to those people to own up and to make use of the channels which are created by this Commission. I simply want to repeat that.
 But we thank you for coming. We have noted everything that you have said, and we wish you well.

SAM JENNY SENATLE: I just wanted to make a remark.  I heard what Mr Chairperson said.  It has been asked that the perpetrators should make use of this opportunity to apply. I also wish - as long as they are not brought to book, because of the sufferings that I have undergone.  Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you, Mr Senatle.
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