Human Rights Violation Hearings — Moutse — 1996-12-03

CHAIRPERSON: ... Moutse, KwaNdebele.  A special welcome to all of the witnesses.  We will have an opportunity to hear all of them during the course of the day.  I will not, at this stage, welcome any special guests or dignitaries.  We will do that through the day as the day continues and as people arrive.
 May I just, firstly, introduce the panel.  On my far left is Mr Tom Manthata.  He is a committee member of the Commission and specifically active in the Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee.  Next to him is Mrs Joyce Seroke who is also a committee member and she is in the Human Rights Violations Committee.  On my immediate left, Dr Russell Ally who is also a member of the Human Rights Violations Committee.  My name is Wynand Malan.  I will, today, act as your Chairman.  
 May I just say now, and I will repeat this announcement later in the day, that we are listening to witnesses who have made statements to us.  Some of them, specifically, on gross human rights violations.  Others on background information to assist us in getting a more comprehensive picture about what happened in this part of world.  Mainly in the 80's, but going back since we have to cover a time period from 1960 through 1993.  Some witnesses will give us background information and refer to specific gross human 
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rights violations perpetrated against them.  The people that will be giving evidence will only be a few of those that made statements to us.  We are basically doing our work on the basis of written documentation.  Our findings will be made and each and every statement will be awarded exactly the same kind of scrutiny.  We will be, mainly, dealing with our work on paper and, really, the hearings are simply organised to have a window, a public window, so to speak, into some of the affairs that went during this period.  So the basis of all our activities, really, is made up of statements made to the Commission.  
 Now there may be some of the audience present here today who have also suffered gross human rights violations and have not yet made a statement to the Commission.  Please consider making a statement also telling us your story and for that purpose, statement takers will be available through the day.  You will be able to make contact with them at the back of the hall and there is a special room where you go where a statement will be taken which we will give all our attention and eventually also make a finding.  
 This is not a Court of Law, but it is a serious event.  It is really trying to come to grips with what happened in the past, trying to understand it.  In a sense we are making and writing up the history, documenting the history of this country over a specific period.  So I would ask of you to be relaxed, but at the same time be honest, quiet, dignified and please afford the witnesses the opportunity to, with dignity, present their evidence.  
 Sorry, may I just also, while the witness is getting ready, inform you that we have these little boxes with head pieces, little phones.  So, if you cannot follow the 
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language there is a simultaneous translation available.  You can get the necessary equipment at the back of the hall, but please do not forget to return it before you leave the hall.  You cannot use them except inside of the hall and it is of no value.  Not that we think people will consciously be taking it away, but please make sure and remember to leave it when you leave the hall.  There are four channels and you can move about on the channels.  So you will be able to find the language which is best suited to you to follow the witness if you cannot follow the witness in the language spoken.  
 Prince Mahlangu, just before you start, would you have any objections to taking the oath?

UNKNOWN: No objections.

CHAIRPERSON: Would you then please stand?

UNKNOWN: (Duly sworn in, states).

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  You may take your seat.  Prince Mahlangu, you were very, very close to all the developments.  This happened in an area which, basically, is the area of yourself and your family and you will be able to tell us a lot of the background of what developed, focusing on a number of issues on which you have given us the statement and we will be especially pleased if you will concentrate on the events of May 12 and 14 and the times surrounding those dates 1986.  Welcome with us and we are ready to listen to you.  Thanks for being with us.

UNKNOWN: Thank you Mr Chairman, all the Commissioners who are here today and all important guests, ladies and gentlemen.  Indeed, we have gone through terrible and stormy times and I hope that I am going to present the picture of what happened in the years 1984, 1985, 1986 until MOUTSE HEARING TRC/MPUMALANGA
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late 1988, but before I could do that I need to raise a very great concern.  I learnt for the first time, with great dismay and shock, that I was a member of Imbokhoto and to me that is viewed in a very, very serious light and that is a great insult.  I would want to call upon the Commission to call to order these honourable members of the media because this will not be acceptable to me, will not be acceptable to my community and to my dear comrades and, I think, the world at large.

CHAIRPERSON: I wonder if you would allow me to respond immediately.  I have also learned this morning that at least in one paper there was a report that you were Imbokhoto.  In fact I thing heading up the Imbokhoto at some stage.  I have not heard any such evidence, any such statement, any such allegation while I was here yesterday.  I do not know where they got it from.

RUSSELL ALLY: Wrong name.

CHAIRPERSON: Sorry.

RUSSELL ALLY: Wrong name, it was Kedu Mahlangu.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, it is probably a misunderstanding in terms of reference to the wrong individual following another witness, but I do not want to find excuses for whoever that newspaper report emanated from.  I think we would demand, at least, that we have a correct reporting here from the media.  We have not had problems or at least many problems in the past, but this is a serious thing and I think you have the fullest right to object and ask for the record to be set straight immediately.

UNKNOWN: Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.