Human Rights Violation Hearings — Pollsmoor — 1996-11-27

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: I just wanted to explain to you ma'am,  that when someone has died, a son, a daughter, or a family member, we know that, that  is a very painful thing and we want to investigate about this matters and it  is important to people like you who have no husband and a son is important to people like you.  Because you have mentioned that Zabonke was your only son, but we know that you have a daughter who is here.
And we understand when you said that Zabonke was your only child, you mean that he was the one who was supporting you and you have lost a lot because of his death.
Ms Miya also told us how they suffered because his son  was the only son and we know that it is important to many people to have a son, because he was the one who was supporting you and he was like a husband to you.  And we know that you didn't only loose a son, but you lost a lot. 
And we thank you that you brought your son's daughter to your daughter.  Thank you ma'am.

CHAIRPERSON: Mary?

MARY BURTON: No thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: No okay, we thank both of you for coming here.   For coming to testify in this Commission.  We do feel your pain with you and you must know that many people are with you in your pain.
And it is clear that we want your wounds to be healed  and they will be healed  if you explain what happened if you talk and tell us what happened.   You have explain to us that you didn't want to cry, but you couldn't help it.  And you explained to us how the police destroyed and tried to disturb the funeral of your son.   And we could see that that thing was very painful to you, and we hope that the Lord will try and comfort you and strengthen you.
Maybe at the time these people were doing these things to you, they were not aware that they were be found one day.  They were not aware that this things would be investigated one day.  We were telling them all the time that this is God's land and God has got justice and everything will come out, the truth will come out.
A day will come when God will show them that he is the one who is ruling this world and that come - the time is - the time is now that we are investigating and we are trying to find out the truth about what happened in the past.  We thank you a lot.
Sometimes people ask us, as Commissioners and committee members, how do you feel having listened to so many stories, do you still feel touched?  I mean have you not become somewhat blase?  And a straightforward answer is, no.   You think that you have got used to the stories and that somehow you are hardened and you listen to them very  [indistinct] 
But speaking for myself, I mean, I have very-very  many moments when it is difficult to restrain tears.   I have tried very hard not to cry,  because I don't want to have other cartoons.   But I hope actually that the people of this country will listen to the stories and let these stories touch their hearts.  Because these people who look through normal and ordinary - walk about with a very heavy burden on their hearts.
And we hope so much that people in this country will know the price that is being paid for forgiveness.  That I mean, these mothers who come here, it is now 7/8 years since this thing happened, but when they recalled what happened, they weep and yet they don't go out into the streets and say - we want to revenge.  
And South Africa should know just how lucky South Africa is.  That we mustn't take for granted it's a  very deep pain that people are carrying, but they can laugh, they can sing and they can forgive.  And we keep saying how much we wish for people as it were on the other side to be equally generous and just say - sorry  -  sorry.   And they will be amazed at the response they get.
Thank you - I am instructed to suggest that we take a break for tea.  Can we please stand as the witnesses go out.