Amnesty Hearings — Vanderbijlpark — 1999-05-18

MS F MOLETE: No, Sir.  When we went there, as we entered the place there were two other ladies and myself, there was also Florina Dlamini.  Her real name is Tselane.

MR STRYDOM: So that's somebody else?

MS F MOLETE: That's correct.

MR STRYDOM: Now why when I asked you initially if you gave a statement to anybody in any capacity or officials, didn't you mention these people?

CHAIRPERSON: I think in fairness to her, what she was being asked was about some kind of a forum where people, where the residents of Boipatong went to tell their story.

MR STRYDOM: Yes, Chairperson, later on I referred to the forum, but initially I asked "to any person".

MR BERGER: No.

MR STRYDOM: I used officials and I tried to make it as broad as possible.  Later on I asked her if she does not know of some forum that was set up.

CHAIRPERSON: But I think reference - it was a bit vague.

MR BERGER: Chairperson, my note is the question was
"When was the first time that you told any official about your experiences in Boipatong?"

MR STRYDOM: Chairman, I'm not going to take it further.  You said that the first person that came to you was this Segwadi person, did you give him a statement or her a statement?

MS F MOLETE: He said to me they wanted to know where I was working and then he went away.  When he came back, he came with these other people and that's when I gave him this statement.  He was writing down this statement.

MR STRYDOM: Was he then - he came back with Caroline and the other people, is that what you're saying?

MS F MOLETE: That's correct.

MR STRYDOM: And what did they ask you, what did they want from you?

MS F MOLETE: They asked me about what happened that night.  They wanted to know what happened that night, that is in my family.

MR STRYDOM: Yes.  And did they take a statement which you've signed?

MS F MOLETE: Well I do not remember whether I signed that statement, but they took the statement from me.  This happened many years ago, Mr Strydom.

MR STRYDOM: This Caroline and Barbara, was that the first time for you to meet these people?

MS F MOLETE: Yes.

MR BERGER: Chairperson, perhaps we can be of assistance, the Caroline that is referred to is Caroline Nichols and the Barbara is Barbara Sudana, both partners of Ms Cambanis.

MR STRYDOM: Thank you.  Now when you testified at the Goldstone Commission, did you tell the Goldstone Commission exactly what you told this Committee, about what you know?

MS F MOLETE: I told them, but there is something that I did not tell them, that is my injury to my private parts.

MR STRYDOM: But for that portion you told them the rest?

MS F MOLETE: As far as I remember I told them everything, but because this happened many years ago and many people will come and will ask for statements, but I remember telling them everything.

MR STRYDOM: After you testified at the Goldstone Commission, did you make any further statements?

MS F MOLETE: Yes.

MR STRYDOM: Did you make a statement in Vanderbijlpark?

MS F MOLETE: No.

MR STRYDOM: Did you make a statement when you went to Pretoria?

MS F MOLETE: Yes.

MR STRYDOM: You mentioned the person Lucky, is that Lucky Samuel Kekana, the policeman?

MS F MOLETE: Yes, it's him.

MR STRYDOM: Did he take a statement from you at any stage?

MS F MOLETE: Yes.

MR STRYDOM: Before you came to give evidence here today, did you see that statement again?

MS F MOLETE: Are you referring to Lucky's statement?

MR STRYDOM: Yes, that statement you gave to Lucky.

MS F MOLETE: No, we will only give statements but we did not know where they were taken to.

MR STRYDOM: But what I want to know is, when you came here to give evidence, did you have a look at that statement or was it translated to you again, the statement you gave to Lucky?

MS F MOLETE: No.

MR STRYDOM: Were you in this hall when your sister gave evidence?

MS F MOLETE: I would only come in the afternoons.

MR STRYDOM: So you were here yesterday afternoon, is that what you say?

MS F MOLETE: Yes.

MR STRYDOM: And were you here this morning?

MS F MOLETE: Yes, I was here.

MR STRYDOM: In the hall?

MS F MOLETE: Yes.

MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, will this be a convenient stage to take the adjournment?

CHAIRPERSON: Are you still going to be long?

MR STRYDOM: Fairly long, Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: Ms Molete, would you come back here tomorrow morning, because we have not finished with you?

MS F MOLETE: Yes.

CHAIRPERSON: Very well, and make sure you are here by 9 o'clock.  Very well, we will adjourn until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS