Human Rights Violation Hearings — Nelspruit — 1996-09-02

MR LEWIN: And one final question before passing on to the Chairperson.  How many people were actually in the group who came to fetch you?

BAYENI ANNIE SILINDA: Where did they actually - I want to know when they fetched him after his death.

MR LEWIN: No, no before.  At the beginning when they came to collect him at six o'clock in the morning.

BAYENI ANNIE SILINDA: There were many boys.   There were many boys, all of them had sjamboks with them.
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MR LEWIN: When you say many do you mean there were four or 20?

BAYENI ANNIE SILINDA: There were many because they came in a group and the other part of the group went to the other house and this other group came to my house.  Actually they went ahead.  There were many.

MR LEWIN: Thank you very much, Mama.

MS MKHIZE: Mama, you have told us your story and I just want to ask a very short question.  In the past we know that people were oppressed and many things were happening.  People were suspecting each other of being spies.  Now can I ask you a question.  I know you are feeling the pain once more but according to your vision what can the Commission do in this area to help all the children that were faced with such difficult accusations so that there can be peace and reconciliation within the community?

BAYENI ANNIE SILINDA: I will be very glad to see the perpetrators with my own eyes so that they can tell me what happened and why did it happen.  I think my soul will get rest because I am really battling with my children, I am not working, I don't get any income.  They should come closer, they should tell me the reasons for killing him. Maybe my soul can have peace.   Because I never knew what really killed my son.

MS MKHIZE: I thank you.

YASMINE SOOKA: Mama, in your statement you mentioned that your family called Jabulani to come to your house where you people asked him what happened.  Can you tell us a little bit more about that please.

BAYENI ANNIE SILINDA: Jabulani actually came there, he was a police for these comrades and they was coming to collect these people to say they must go to the meeting.  On their way
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back from the meeting and I explained this earlier on.  I don't know whether perhaps you did not understand me.  I say Jabulani came here because I have already said that there were some boys around there.  But Jabulani came.  They entered the house and they took these two people to the meeting.  Now when my boy got up I told him, then he went, he followed them thereafter.  After the funeral then we went to Jabulani.  Jabulani said I don't know anything.  Yes, I was actually the person who was saying that they should all go to the meeting but I don't know anything.  I don't know maybe Jabulani can sort of explain to us so that my soul can sort of be at peace.  If he can give clarity because I was not there.  I asked this boy just tell us exactly one person whom you know or whom you recognised on that day.  He said no I only know Jabulani.  The others I don't know them.

YASMINE SOOKA: Mama, just one more question.  You say that Mr Marakeni Mluli was assaulted with Frank.  Can you tell us whether he told you what happened during this incident.

BAYENI ANNIE SILINDA: I think that question was asked by the people who were taking the statements.  They said to me don't I know of anyone perhaps who was a neighbour or who was also banned together with my son.  And then I said to them well I don't know anybody.  The only person I know of I only know Markeni who was also burnt together with my son and Frank.  The others well I don't know them.

YASMINE SOOKA: Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: We come from a very tough time.  Terrible things took place from both sides.  People were claiming to be involved in politics.  There were factions on both sides and the actions that were conducted were really horrible.  People were burnt to death.  Killing in itself is a horrible
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thing but the way it was done in this area and the way your son was killed he was axed on the head, this is really terrible. All people that are gathered here today say we feel the pain that you felt and I have already mentioned earlier on that we sole wish that such things do not happen again in our land.  We don't want people to be hurt because we are deeply hurt with the loss of your son and we say we have listened to your request and we will try and make some investigations as to who are the perpetrators and they will have to come and make peace with you.  May God help you, may he console you, may he heal your wounds.  We want to thank you very much.