Human Rights Violation Hearings — Worcester — 1996-06-25

MR SIXISHI: In 1986 there was a funeral of a very popular grandmother she was Udini.  We went to the venue where the funeral was going to take place, we went to the hall we were lot of people.  When we came out of the hall, we could see that there were people who had Khaki uniforms, we were at the funeral and we continued to walk when I  looked through there's a hill which is nearby and we could see there was a van up the hill but we continued and just ignored it.
We went to the graveyard, when we got there we continued to the burial.  On our way back we went to the family where  the funeral was taking place, whilst we were washing our hands as it is culturally done so after the burial, we had some tea and whilst we dispersing we were going to our places.  When I got to my place, I find my wife and my child I informed that I would like to have something to eat.
After that I informed her that I was drowsy I'd like to take a lap, she allowed to go and sleep and then I did.  It was towards sunset.  Whilst I was still sleeping I heard a huge cry then I woke I could see that there were people, I presume it was Inkhata, Meshack came in and Meshack started hitting me with a stick, I was surprised and asked what is the problem and what have I done to you, why should you assault me in such terrible manner.
He just insulted me and  said your backside, don't you know what you have done ?  I was surprised, I was taken roughly and  I was grabbed and shoved outside of residence.  I could see  Matroos that he was on the ground, and again I was hit on the head with knob kierie there was also a policeman Jonas Xalata and they were both here.  
Hanson is a policeman, my wife was crying continuously, you could see that they were armed, these policemen. I couldn't balance very well and they pushed me out of my room I was still in my short pants and I was half naked.
Kokoloi Matroos beat me continuously, when I went out I could see there was a police van next to my door they pushed me.  And  the police together with the  people that I presumed they were Inkatha members and they pushed me into the van,  I could see that the van was full.
We were -  we drove off,   it was going around the location and they were picking up everybody on their route.  Mrubahta was amongst the people that were picked up also and we were taken to police station at Ashton.  
When we got there,  there was lot of people,  we were being just drove and taken  in the wards inside the prison cells.  After a while we were taken again away and we were taken to Robertson, again we were detained here.  
On a Monday because this happened during the weekend , we were taken to Montagu  where we attended a court hearing.  The magistrate was surprised with  such a big crowd and he said he  cannot continue holding the hearings.  And we were taken back to  Worcester and that's where we were detained for few days.
We were taken again for court appearance and this was continuing time and again because the case was always postponed.  
After a while we were taken to the doctor because Mrubahta and myself were severely injured.   I could feel that my eye had ruptured.  I couldn't understand because Tshoto was always saying to me what happened to the eye and I was under the impression that there was nothing wrong with the eye but I could feel that it was painful.
We were separated from the other group and then after a while they took us to Tygerberg Hospital.   We got there, we were admitted, we were under police guard, we have been  handcuffed although we were patients. Even if you go to the loo you have to be under police surveillance.  The nurses told me that I was going to be taken for examination,  I was taken with a stretcher after a while I was operated and then I was - I had a patch when I woke up and I  could realised that my eye has been removed.  I was admitted for few days again and then I was still under the police guard.  After a few days I was taken to Paarl at the police station.
When I got there everybody was surprised and they asked me who are you, we don't know you here, I informed them that I was a person who stays in Worcester and I was taken along here.  Apparently I was mistakenly taken to Paarl.  I was handcuffed again, and I was taken by train to Worcester.
When I got there at the police cells I was informed that others have been released and they got bail.   A few minutes after Mrubahta was also brought in.  After a few minutes we were called out and we were offered a bail,  we were taken back to Montagu,  I was afraid because we said we were injured.   So we requested that the assistance of W Bosch who was  a lawyer,  so that we can claim for the injuries that we have sustained.  And we were very perturbed because we were assaulted for not apparent reason.  
We went to the lawyers, we had to go to the Supreme Court again and the lawyer who was defending us was from Worcester.  There were also advocates because we were going to Supreme Court and  we had to go again after the few days.
It was very strange because the Inkatha members were also here we had to continue.  My wife was also a witness,   I would  like to emphasise that this was happening at Worcester -  at the Supreme Court.   Thereafter - after we have given our evidence the Inkatha members were also there Kokoloi, Jonas, Calata and Hanson was also here. 
They also gave evidence against me, they witnessed against me and they said I'm was the  one who started throwing stones at the police.  I was surprised to hear that information.  The lawyer commended us for the way in which we had presented our evidence and then the  case was postponed again.
Ever since then there was never ever any  court hearings , but I would  like to say,  I am very glad today, because I'm here and I'm giving my evidence before the Truth Commission,   although I can be honest and say I'm still bearing  grudge against the people who assaulted me.  I would request that the Commission should consider the fact that I'm unemployed, I have to  maintain my family that is why I've heard that I should come here and present my statement.
Even when I go for employment - to seek for employment - I am informed  that  I'm old, I cannot get employment.  That is the end of my evidence.

DR BORAINE: I want to thank you very much indeed  end of Tape 1  , side A   ...  on that dreadful month in May 1986.  One cannot but help comment that so often because funerals were the only public place where many people could gather for many years.  That so much suffering took place before and during and after funerals in the community.   A time that should be sacred was for you desecrated.
I want to ask you just the few questions to help me to understand a little more.  You mentioned on a number of occasions an organisation called Inkatha.  Do you -  is that the same as the vigilante  group called Amasolomzi?  I am not sure if I am pronouncing that right, Amasolomzi.

MR SIXISHI: Yes, it is the vigilantes

DR BORAINE: And on the day you were attacked in your home, there were the vigilantes and the police together ?

MR SIXISHI: Yes, it was the police and especially Hanson he was together with these members of the vigilantes whom I called the Inkatha members.

DR BORAINE: So some of them weren't members of the police they were part of the community the vigilantes, is that right?

MR SIXISHI: Yes, some of them were not policemen but we used to call them Inkatha although they were vigilantes, some of them were Xhosa speaking but they were always in the accompaniment of the police.

DR BORAINE: Now can you tell me, were you at any stage involved with any political organisation, yourself  -  were you politically active at that time ?