Human Rights Violation Hearings — Johannesburg — 1996-04-29

DR BORAINE: The witnesses we call are Mrs Sarah Mthembu and Miss Maria Mthembu and we will ask them to, and invite them to take the stand please.

DESMOND MPILO TUTU: Could I apologise.  I have not in fact introduced the panel here.  On my extreme left, or your right is Joyce Seroke, who is a committee member of the Human Rights Violations Committee of this region.  Next to her is Hlengiwe Mkhize who is a Commissioner and the Chairperson of the Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee.  Wynand Malan, a Commissioner and also deputy chairperson of the Human Rights Violations Committee based here in Gauteng.  Faizel Randera, a Commissioner, a member of the Human Rights Violations Committee, and also coordinator of this region.  So he is the boss person here.  If I want to get angry with anybody then I will get angry with him.  Alex Boraine the deputy chair of the Commission and a member of the Human Rights Violations Committee.  Commissioner Bongani Finca a member of the Human Rights Violations Committee and coordinator of our East London regional office.  They had the dubious honour of being the first to kick off and they did a splendid job of work, remarkable job of work indeed.  Next to him is Richard Lyster a Commissioner and member of the Human Rights Violations Committee and he too is the coordinator of our regional office in the KwaZulu Natal and
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Free State region.  Next to him is Yasmin Sooka, Commissioner and another deputy chair of the Human Rights Violations Committee based here in Gauteng.  Tom Manthata a committee member of the Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee based here in Gauteng.  Piet Meiring is a member 
of the Reparations and Rehabilitation committee Gauteng region.  Chris de Jager who is a Commissioner and a member of the Amnesty Committee, famous committee.  And Sisi Khampepe a Commissioner and member of the Amnesty Committee.  Hugh Lewin is committee member of the Human Rights Violations Committee, and Russel Ally who is also a committee member of the Human Rights Violations Committee based here in Gauteng. Thank you.

DR BORAINE: Welcome Mrs Sarah Mthembu and Miss Maria Mthembu.  You also have with you a young lady and perhaps you can tell us who that is?

MS MTHEMBU: The young one is Nonkululeku, it is Maria's child, she gave birth to while in prison.

DR BORAINE: We are very glad to welcome you too and I wonder if somebody could arrange for earphones for the little girl.  It's important that everybody has a chance to hear so I am taking it very slowly.  Once we are ready we will speed it up a bit.  Alright we are ready to go.  A very warm word of welcome to all three of you and Mrs Mthembu I must ask you please to stand for the taking of the oath.

SARAH MTHEMBU: (sworn states)

MARIA MTHEMBU: (sworn states)

DR BORAINE: Now Mrs Mthembu as I mentioned earlier to the first witness Mrs Tiro, we try to help the witness give their story and give their testimony.  In this case it is I who will be doing that.  I will be asking the questions in
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English, it will be translated and you will be able to understand and take your time.  There is no hurry, just take your time.
 First would you tell us just a little bit, not too long, but just a little bit about yourself, your family, where you lived, where you come from before the story of 
what happened to your son.