Human Rights Violation Hearings — Worcester — 1996-06-26

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: I would first like to make this request because some people that I was arrested with at that time who were on Robben Island have been hanged since then and some of them who were at Victor Verster also hanged, hanged by the state, sentenced to death.  I will talk about one of them that was at Worcester.   James Henries came to me at that time we ...  
 In East London Steven Church Katla, Chiza and Louis Mnchizana were there in P.E.   There were many of them whom I can't remember.  I'll go to Durban, Zuma, Ndlalose, Sibia and Bani, I was with all those people.  In Pretoria it was Jeffrey Masamula, Anton Izuzu, and Katjlo.  They were also there in Robben Island but they all lived in the Transvaal.  Unfortunately those from Namibia were separated from us, we were not together and even if we did meet them we could not communicate because they couldn't communicate in English or Afrikaans as they could only speak German and their mother tongue but there were those who could manage to communicate.   I've got a list of the people from Paarl.  (End of tape 1, Day 3, Side A)
 ... was executed and he was imprisoned for 20 years in Robben Island.  Fakela was executed, he was about to be released.  Xobile Haans was also hanged.  Fourteen of them were hanged, taken from prison while serving their sentence.  That's all I can say.  Izambotla has a son known as Mnzinkulu whom I'm familiar with.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: At the time you were there did you meet the State President?

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: I'll answer you there.  The State President arrived there in 1964, after two to three months he was given a further charge.  When he came back after being charged he was with Susulu Mbeki, that's the President, to-day's President.  He was taken to a single cell.  That's were they were staying, even Makwetu was there as well.  Jeffrey Masumula was with us but he was taken from us to the other political prisoners like President Mandela.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: The last question, you told us about lorries, Robben Island lorries and that people who are able to drive were given lorries, can you explain to us what the lorries were doing on Robben Island?

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: These lorries were wheelbarrows, they were just making fools of us as there were no lorries only wheelbarrows.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: We thank you very much Mr Mkhabile for your report.  When did you meet your wife?

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: I met her in 1976.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: By the time you were release you had reached the stage to take a wife?

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: I had no other way.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Now you saw it was time for you to get married because you were old enough.  Thank you very much and we thank you Mrs Mkhabile.  I'll hand you over to my colleagues who might have some questions for you.
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They told us that you loved to sing.

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: I used to but ever since I became deaf I lost interest.
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I think you must get a hearing aid as you must not lose what you used to love as this is the easiest way.  The hearing aid is the easiest way to help you to listen.  I've heard from someone that if somebody loves music they must have the hearing aid.  
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I'm sorry but they make a noise to me.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: ... my colleagues if there is anything.  Mary?

MARY BURTON: Mr Mkhabile the time that you were so involved in Paarl and in Worcester was a time when ... was very strong, were a supporter of ....?  Maybe Pumla can translate.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: She's asking whether you were a supporter of ...

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: Yes I was involved.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Seemingly they are finished but I would like to ask you a last question.  What would like the Commission to do, what would your wish from this Commission be?

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: Firstly I have no place to stay, secondly my children are still young and thirdly I have still not recovered from these injuries which I suffered and I still need treatment.  Due to these things I've been unable to work so I would need some sort of disability.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: The Commission will do whatever it can in it's power to help people in the ways that you have requested.  We are not able to grant requests at this point in terms of any requests that involve monetary help as these things will all have to be investigated by the Commission and the Commission will do what it can in order to meet with your requests insofar as they are able.  Have you heard me father?

MZIKHAYA MKHABILE: I've heard.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: So I'd ask that we leave the matter now where it stands and I thank you very, very much and also the people who have come here today  to listen to what you have explained to us about the way in which you have been treated.  Now these people who are here to-day can know how our fathers, people like yourself have been treated in times past and we thank you again very much for this.