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

ALONE: For the crime I haven't committed
I was detained and convicted for 90 days and 90 nights Without trial in solitary confinement and in solitary confusion Alone all alone.
With no one to talk to
No visits were allowed from my beloved ones
No visit was permitted  from my beloved ones who knew my whereabouts.
Alone all alone.
Youths were being harassed
Parents were been restricted from gatherings and asking my whereabouts.
Expelled from school and positive campaigns
Alone all alone.  
No priests were allowed
No advocates knew my whereabouts
No newspapers were allowed
No radios being permitted
Alone all alone.
Jail to jail I was used too
Silly questions and corporal punishment was  everyday's 
bread
Interrogation and depression and harassment were my 
comforters
Alone all alone. 
Moon in face and wet blankets I  was used to
Tears with no one to dry  I was used to
Hostile questioning was ringing in my ears
Sjamboks and batons are my bosom friends
Alone all alone.
Alone in police custody
Human dignity being my dreams
Peace and reconciliation being my vision
But the spirit of my leaders ring as the bells of the churches
Forgive but not forget
During the night I start to bleed continuously
I prayed in anger they are coming
The roar of the AK47 in my ears were  my comforters
Slogans and toi-toi was always in my dreams
They can do what they want with my body
But my soul and spirit will never die
Alone all alone.
I was harassed and I was attacked all the time even the time when they took me away they started with my mother and they said they were going to kill the bitch and the puff adder with its, would kill it with  it's puppies and attacked my mother.  And then they ended up taking me away from my mother.  
I'm appealing to the Truth Commission that if they can be capable of doing so assist me to continue with my studies.  And presently I'm a person who's always ill and I think that it is after effects of the suffering.  I have a child and I am unemployed.  I would like to get assistance. Thank you very much.

UNKNOWN: Thank you  Mzukisi.   I would like to make a few comments and ask just couple of questions, but first let me ask you can you remember when did you write the poem ?

MR MDIDIMBA: I wrote my poem in 1991.

UNKNOWN: It's a very moving account of your feelings during that very bad time, we would be honoured if you give us a copy, could you do that ?

MR MDIDIMBA: Yes

UNKNOWN: Thank you.

MR MDIDIMBA: Yes.

UNKNOWN: We will make that arrangement a little later on, thank you very much.
You mentioned that you are now studying, can you tell a little bit what you are studying and what college you are in?

MR MDIDIMBA: I am a director of the local groups, I'm writing, I'm a director, I'm a playwright  and I am  writing poems.  I am  also an actor but I am not studying formally.

UNKNOWN: We can get more details about little later on.  And you also mentioned that you are not very well sometimes and that you have some medical problems.

MR MDIDIMBA: Ja.

UNKNOWN: Are you receiving any medical treatment at all from a clinic or from a hospital or doctor, or anyone?

MR MDIDIMBA: Yes, I receive some treatment, Sus Luyanda who is  next to me is looking after me I am always attending Trauma Centre.  They've made arrangements with Earl Geritz so that I can get medication all the time.

UNKNOWN: [indistinct] you have somebody who cares for you and is looking after you. You also mentioned that you have a child, how old is your child?

MR MDIDIMBA: Melody is four years old.

UNKNOWN: And  she stay with you?

MR MDIDIMBA: No she is staying with her parents on the mother side.

UNKNOWN: Thank you very much.  I just want to ask one last question.  You mentioned that you were 15 years old and you were a juvenile but  you were put together with adults, which must have been a very bad experience apart from all the beatings that you got.
And you said that you were assaulted and you were taken to hospital.  Can you remember - I know it's a long time ago but can you remember which hospital you went to and how long you were there and  what - what special treatment they gave you - anything at all about that.

MR MDIDIMBA: During the time of my detention I was under Sergeant Bishop,  I was admitted at Pinelands the other time.

UNKNOWN: Is there anything you would like to tell us, before I hand back to the Chairperson ?

MR MDIDIMBA: No,  I don't have any further explanation.

UNKNOWN: [indistinct] to us in every way - thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you - any  further questions - Denzil -  Pumla Gobodo.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Thank you  [indistinct]   You explained your loneliness while you were detained, I would  like to ask -  how did you manage -  how did you handle the situation?

MR MDIDIMBA: It was very difficult, because at times when you were alone you will  be stressful.  You would  be afraid -  you become withdrawn.  You don't even -  you didn't want to hear anything connected with politics or even if  the person says Viva.  You would be afraid because would associate with assaults and the atrocities that you experience in detention.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: I'm going to ask you about some names that you gave us,  there are people who are making research, Chief Mabizela gave us some names who were the members of the vigilantes, I would  like to confirm if those are the same people.
You mentioned Matroos, Kokoloi, the other one is Watu - is Panie -  Panie Klaas ?

MR MDIDIMBA: Yes, he is Panie Klaas.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Is Meshack  [indistinct]

MR MDIDIMBA: Yes, he is  [indistinct]

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Is Ntuthuzelo Luthango?

MR MDIDIMBA: Yes, Ntuthuzelo is Luthango.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: What is the name of Maye ?

MR MDIDIMBA: He is   [indistinct]  I'm not quite certain

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Where they all members of vigilantes ?

MR MDIDIMBA: Yes

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Can you explain why were you chased by these people ?  What did they want from you?

MR MDIDIMBA: I cannot explain, I cannot tell you what was happening.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Can you remember probably as they were working with the others ?
Or did they pretend to be the police ?

MR MDIDIMBA: I think  there is because I was a very active as a political organiser.
Because even when the house was burnt I was not even there.

CHAIRPERSON: We thank you very much.  As we are hearing the  explanation and the witnesses of people from old to younger ones -  that's why we won the struggle against the apartheid era.    That's why today we are in this position,  that's why  we are able to reconcile.
We thank God that gave the youth support and you gave the support to the community so that you - the youth can be the leaders of the country and you can enjoy the fruits of the struggle that you  were fighting for.  
Each and everyone black and white we thank you a lot  for your presence during your struggle and the participation, we accept it.  We do understand your pain and we look forward hoping that we will help you a lot.  Thank you very much.