Human Rights Violation Hearings — Grahamstown — 1997-04-02

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: The people were arrested but what happened was that the case would be postponed several times and then the matter would be withdrawn or they'd be acquitted or whatever, but nothing ever happened to the case. In all three these matters no one was found guilty.

CHAIRPERSON: Did the family have an attorney representing them in all three these matters?

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: No.

CHAIRPERSON: Why did you not get yourselves a legal representative?

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: I cannot say why because at that time we weren't thinking straight.

CHAIRPERSON: Ms Chrichton says that she forgot to ask you what your wish was by appearing before this Commission?

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: I would say that my parent would be the best person to say.  I would basically leave it in the hands of the Commission. I basically just came to say what happened from my perspective at the time, because from certain perspectives I would say that it was very wrong to have burned my car.

CHAIRPERSON: So in explaining this, all you were saying that the Commission should see what it can do?

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: Yes that's basically all I can say.

CHAIRPERSON: I would like to find out about Mbuyiselo Khadi, you say that his parents are still alive?

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: Yes.

CHAIRPERSON: What is it, are they not interested in making a statement with regards to their son's death?

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: Mbuyiselo was not living with them he was living at home.

CHAIRPERSON: What was wrong, did he not get along with his parents?

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: No he preferred to live with my mum because he got along much better with her.

CHAIRPERSON: So you are saying that he's biological parents are still alive. So let's say for example the President decides that with regards to Mbuyiselo's death he should remunerate that harm, and because they did not come forward and make any statement, they decide to give you the remuneration...?

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: What I'm trying to say is that it is very important that Mbuyiselo's parents submit a statement with regards to Mbuyiselo, there's nothing they know about him, what they say is irrelevant.

CHAIRPERSON: What they can say is that you Vuyani, are a witness.  I am merely advising you because they are his biological parents, they are still alive and when we compile our report we can say that Mbuyiselo's parents are still alive but they did not come forward to make a statement.  So it could be seen as a lack of interest.

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: If I were to advise them to make a statement where could they go and make one, would it be the same person to whom I made a statement?

CHAIRPERSON: Yes you could meet with our staff around here.
 Vuyani you have entertained us by telling your version in a rather humorous way.  Although it is a painful you've related it with a bit of humour.  You have painted a very unusual mental picture of the perspective of the family members of a policeman.  Normally stories which we hear are people who were involved in the struggle and their perception of the police.  It is very unusual for us to share the pain of family members of policeman and we thank you for having given us a very clear description in the humorous way in which you related it and giving us the perspective of family members, brothers, sisters, mothers of policeman.
 We will include your version of events in our report and also the loss which you and your family suffered so that the President can see what he can do about it.

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: You know the way in which I described these events is exactly as they took place.  I am merely saying it as it is, I'm merely describing what happened the way it happened.  I am not trying to hide anything or exaggerate anything.

CHAIRPERSON: We thank you and we would like you to remain here today and not go to the pub.

VUYANI RICHARD BETE: No I'm going home now.