Human Rights Violation Hearings — Tembisa — 1996-11-26

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: He was not a member.  Me I went there if they can investigate it about my son's whereabouts nowadays.
TEMBISA HEARING TRC/GAUTENG
5 I NTLHANE
Even there in Ntolene Catholic Church I asked those people 
that I want to know if you can try and think where my son is.

MS MKHIZE: We also have been looking at the list which was submitted, the statement which was made by the Deputy President to the Truth Commission, it had the list of names of people who died in exile.  Having just taken a quick look at it I do not see anyone with this name, which means it's still a challenge for us to pursue further investigations.  But it will help us a lot if you can think of any people who might know or who might have even seen him so that we can pursue those investigations.

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: I believe as TRC you are here might you can find the rumours today talking about those people or even my son we can hear about him.  We shall try also to find.  If you can trace anyone who knows about my son.  But I believe even you I can be pleased if you can try to help me.

MS MKHIZE: Thank you very much, I will hand you back to the Chairperson.

PROF MEIRING: Mr Ntlhane only a few short questions about yourself.  Your wife has passed away some years ago, is that right?

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: Ja, '83, 16 March 1983.

PROF MEIRING: With whom are you living at the moment?

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: I am just living with my children.

PROF MEIRING: With your children.

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: Ja.  My second one is a daughter.  The second one's son is a teacher.

PROF MEIRING: Do you receive a pension?

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: Yes from '88.

PROF MEIRING: From '88.
TEMBISA HEARING TRC/GAUTENG
6 I NTLHANE

PROF MEIRING: Can you tell me how much the pension is every month, how much do they pay out?

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: R430,00 a month.

PROF MEIRING: Thank you very much, those were my questions.

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: Thanks.

YASMINE SOOKA: Mr Ntlhane I would like to thank you for coming to tell your story to the Commission.  As you know there have been a number of people, parents, families who have come to tell the Commission of those of their loved ones who never came back home.  We have checked through the lists of the ANC and we have written to the PAC as well to ask them if they have any record of your son.  I think that what does complicate matters a little is the fact that when people went into exile they used a different name and I would appeal to both you and anybody else who knew your son, that if they knew what name he was using in exile if they could let us have that information so that we could re-check the lists again.  The disappearances are the most difficult ones, the most difficult matters which the Truth Commission has to deal with.  It is very sad that people like your son were not able to come home and to enjoy the benefits of the democracy that we are celebrating today.
 We will investigate the matter further and come back to you with whatever we have learnt.  Thank you for coming today.

ISMAIL RAMAHLASWANE NTLHANE: Thanks.  I am also thankful for you for coming here today because I have been running all over, but luckily today I have met you.  Thanks.

YASMINE SOOKA: Thank you.  We will now break for tea and come back at 11:35.