Human Rights Violation Hearings — Soweto — 1996-07-24

UNKNOWN: That I did even this morning, I spoke to him about that and he said it is still quiet up until this day. He has been in touch with the AG and up to now there is absolutely nothing happening, and they are equally concerned.  He felt that now it is all the better if the TRC also gets involved in following this matter up.

YASMINE SOOKA: Mr Padi, you are now the mayor of Roodepoort. In your position what sort of recommendations would you make to the Truth Commission to ensure that human rights violations
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don't take place again?  Clearly, here the police acted in a way which was unlawful. Do you think that enough is being done to make sure that police is educated as to their behaviour in how they deal with people, even criminals?

UNKNOWN: I must say that - you will remember that I said that I was very bitter.  But now with the changes in the country, and with everything that is done by the Department of Justice, I think quite a lot is done. I am personally involved in trying to appeal to the community to get involved in this community policing forums.  So that if we still have such elements within the police force, they be identified.  Because it is no use asking, standing back and saying what are the police doing, while we, as the community, do nothing to help address this. Because in some cases these things do happen.  We are there, the police are not there. They need us to come forward and help them with the information they require, you see.  I think quite a lot is being done, and they are also willing, they are also prepared. They say please come forward and they also agree that we have seen the force, there are such elements, and we have got to help them address this. Together, I know, we can make it work.

YASMINE SOOKA: Thank you, Mr Padi.

CHAIRPERSON: Tom?

THOMAS MANTHATA: Yes, my question is, at the time Dumi died, was he still a member of Rema Church?

UNKNOWN: No, I think I made it very clear earlier on, that he divorced himself totally from the church.

THOMAS MANTHATA: From the church?

UNKNOWN: Yes.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Okay.  Both Mr and Mrs Padi and Ma'am Mirriam,
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what role or what sympathy and/or what support did you get from the ANC, because if I heard you well, you said that the Dumi was an MK cadre.

UNKNOWN: Yes, he was an MK cadre and the ANC was fully involved during his burial and they gave every assistance, and even in the case, they actually advised me to get legal representation.  We instructed Chiddel & Thompson and Hyslop. They did the paying.

THOMAS MANTHATA: So you sayin you are still having their solid support.

UNKNOWN: I am still enjoying their full support in this, thank you.

THOMAS MANTHATA: The same applies to Mamma Mirriam Ncalo?

MRS NCALO: Yes, even today they assist me, becuase Nokuzola left two children who were still young.  The first-born is nine years now, the second one is five years.  So they are assisting them in their education. They are even paying all the fees for their schooling.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Thank you, no further questions.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr and Mrs Padi and Mrs Ncalo, I don't myself have any more questions.  Being in the Chair is usually now my task to try and comfort you or in thanking you for coming, to try and provide some comfort.  I don't think I can, you know, there has been, what you have told us, has been so chilling.  You have spoken very quietly, with the calm obviously covering all your emotions, until they come out and there has been so much blood and you have told that story and drawn those pictures so clearly for us. I don't think there are enough words to cover the blood or to match the blood. All I can say is, we appreciate very much your coming. We will do what, everything we can to push this
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process along.  
 I would appeal to people please to stand as the witnesses return to the witness desk.  
 Thank you very much for coming.
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