Human Rights Violation Hearings — Umtata — 1996-06-20

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: I was disturbed because I did not have trust anymore to the Government and even to the authorities.

MS GOBODO: What do you know about your son especially as far as politics are concerned?

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: He was still 16 years old.  I did not notice
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anything about him as far as the political issues are concerned.  The person that I know and who was well known is my husband.  Kobilitlansin Mposelwa is the one who was not, was involved with the politics.

MS GOBODO: Is there anybody who said something about the political involvement of your son?

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: No, you cannot know anything about your child.

MS GOBODO: What did your family think about your son's death?

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: There was an outcry and we were suspicious and we were never satisfied because we could not understand why anybody could be charged about what happened.  We buried our son on the 24th October 1993.  On the 11th November there were two policemen who came at our place.  They had balaclavas and their car was not having any registration plates.  Bantoen, who is my son, was also present.  He had just written examinations.  They asked who is my husband.  He misled them and said he was in Umtata and then they said they must be informed when they come.  We took this matter to the police and then we requested the protection.  I also phoned my husband and I told him telephonically that he was wanted by the police.
 At six you could think that it was a war zone.  There was a lot of police vans, soldiers and everybody.  I could mention Mr Mahilihili.  He was one of the police who were here.  They were giving us protection.  The gun was taken from my husband for ballistics and then he was borrowed one of the guns by the police so that he can protect and defend himself.

MS GOBODO: Who was protecting you?
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NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: It is the soldiers and the police.

MS GOBODO: Okay, is this the period during which the military defence was the one who was ruling the country at the time?

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: Yes.  Mr Mantu is the one who said he would borrow us the gun, but after six days they would withdraw their protection and then there were PAC guards who were also here to protect us.

MS GOBODO: Excuse me Mama.  Do you know whether these policemen, the white policemen with the balaclavas, can you connect it with your son's death?

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: We did not know what to think.  We were not aware of what was happening and my husband was also surprised.  Nobody ever knew what was happening.  We could not even guess of what was happening.

MS GOBODO: I would like to take you back again to your son because I would like to conclude now.  As there was a case and investigations how far did it go?

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: We did not know anything.  Nobody knew what happened to that.  There were no reports, nobody came to say anything to us and we have never been called to attend any court case.  Everything was just quiet as if nothing had happened, but I can mention that Mr Chwane was the person who was investigating the case.  I think he was the Investigation Officer.

MS GOBODO: What was his rank, was he the Security Officer or was he the police?

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: No, they said he was a Detective Sergeant.  When he attached the signature he would write his designation as Detective Sergeant.

MS GOBODO: I would like us to finalise the matter.  We have
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learnt that after he died there were some police who came at your place and the soldiers as well, but we gather that they were looking for your husband.  We would like to find out what happened to your son.  It is not easy to endure the pain when you lose your son.  We know it was something which was very familiar amongst our black community members, but we are aware that during the time of the military rule you would have some people would occasionally have visits from the police or the South African Defence Force.  So what I would like to know is what would you like as to do as the Commission in connection with the disappearance and the death of your son?

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: What I would like to know is why was my son killed and who killed him.  What was the purpose of his death?

MS GOBODO: Lastly, before I can hand you over to the Chairperson or my colleagues, probably they might be having some questions so that they can ask further questions to you.

CHAIRPERSON: Any questions.  Thank you very much Mrs Mposelwa.  As you have already heard and you have been listening to the proceedings of this Commission, one of the most important things about the woman and the most painful things that are always mentioned by most of the woman, is the disappearance of their children.  In this case your son was very young, 16 years old, and he died during the time when there was a lot of things happening in our country.  Probably in, amongst other people also we have the same people who have experienced what you have already stated and presented before us.  It is a very painful experience.  You buried your son and it was not long and then you were
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widowed.  Those were very close people to you and they were shot dead.  It just shows us that the time and our future needs to be considered as one of the most important futures and we would wish that the people should try to solve the problems through negotiations instead of violence.  We promise to make a follow-up and see how we can assist you.  Thank you very much.

NTOMBIFIKILE MPOSELWA: Excuse me I have a question.  I would like to ask a question for the Commission.  I would like to know the advice that I can get, where do I get the Human Rights offices?

MS GOBODO: I would like you to come to us after these proceedings so that we can give you details.  Thank you very much.
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