Human Rights Violation Hearings — Durban — 1996-08-30

WITNESS:   No, that's not enough.  You know I could be working, but this lady said I should not work, I should be home and take care of my children.

KHOZA MGOJO: Now that you have come here to the Truth Commission what do you wish to ask that the Truth Commission should do for you?

WITNESS:   What I will request from the Truth Commission, they should support my children, maintain my children.

KHOZA MGOJO: You mean putting them back to school, paying for them at school and so on?

WITNESS:   Yes.

KHOZA MGOJO: Mrs Msomi, your story is touching.  I will repeat what I said on Monday, that killing, whether you are ANC or IFP, it just boils to one thing - it's bad.  It's evil.  It's just evil.  Whether it's done by ANC or IFP it's an evil act.  This burning, killing people with fire and so forth, it's evil.  People were never killed in this manner.  This thing is completely new, what's happening.  It never used to happen a long time ago.  But what you have said and asked for, we'll compile a report and forward it to the State President.  He will come up with a resolution.  Thank you.

DR MAGWAZA: What I will say here is just to wrap up this whole thing, and everything that you have said.  Also we would like to thank your son that he accompanied you to the Commission.  What I will thank you for is your being brave, for you are such a brave woman.  And when I am looking at the people who came forward today it's the first time we've listened to the persons who come from your group, and I do trust and hope that all of us in this hall will respect all the witnesses, irrespective of their group and affiliations.  We do not encourage anything that will bring division in our society.  Thank you.

COMMISSIONER: (Inaudible)  ... Dr Magwaza has said.  We are very pleased that you had the courage to come and tell us your story.  You will know, having been here today, that most of the people here were supporters or members of the ANC or the UDF, but, as Dr Magwaza has said, this Commission was set up by the Government to hear from all people, all people from South Africa who suffered human rights violations over the past 30 years, and we know that many Inkatha members also suffered.  As you have told us today you suffered the terrible death of your husband.
We have heard your request, and we will be making submissions - recommendations to the Government, to the State President, as to how people like you should be assisted.  So we want to thank you very much.  You have helped us to get a more complete picture.  We know that there was suffering on both sides, and you have given us information which will enable us to paint a more complete picture when we make our report to the Government at the end of the day.  Thank you very much to you and your son.

COMMISSIONER: Mr Ndimande, we welcome you here today.  You had to wait the whole day to telly our story, and we thank you for being so patient.  You are from Folweni, is that correct?

GILBERT NDIMANDE: That is correct.

COMMISSIONER: It's about the murder of your wife, Duduzile Eunice Ndimande, and the injuring of your twin daughters, Thulile and Thulisile.  That was in 1993.  Before you tell us that story can you stand to take the oath.  Can you stand up to take the oath.

GILBERT NDIMANDE: (Sworn, States)   (Through Interpreter)

MR LAX: Thank you, Chairperson.  Good afternoon, Mr Ndimande.

WITNESS:   I greet you also.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... to talk to us, and if you could remember just to speak into the microphone as we are talking and as the people are hearing.  Now, if you'll excuse me one moment.  (Pause)  Mr Ndimande, we understand that you've just lost your mother, and we extend our condolences to you for that.  Are you feeling okay to continue with your evidence today though?

WITNESS:   I can continue.

MR LAX: Before we go into the story can you just tell us a little bit about your family.  From the statement we understand that you have three children, Xolisile, Thulile and Thulisile.  Are there any other children that have not been mentioned in the statement?

WITNESS:   I have quite a big family.  I have 16 children.  But unfortunately four died and I was left with 12.  The eldest is Sibonelo, the second one is Bhekisani, the third one is Jabu, the fourth is Xolisile, the fifth one is Mduduzi, the sixth one is Thulile.  Thulile and Thulisile are twins, and there's another one, Lungile, following by Sithembele, Nogwanda, Fanele, Ngimangele.  I have seven children with the deceased.  I've got three wives.  The second wife has got one child.  Two sons died and one daughter was left.  With my third wife I have one son and three daughters.

MR LAX: And yourself, are you presently working?

WITNESS:   I was working at AECI, but I was retrenched in 1990.  I am no longer working.

MR LAX: Thank you.  Now, at the time all these incidents happened you were living in Umbumbulu in the Mahlabatini area, and the Nkanga part of that.

WITNESS:   That is correct, as I have already said that I have got a big family.  My first wife, the deceased, was staying at Mahlabatini, the second one at Folweni, and the third one we had a house at Ifracon, next to Umkomaas.

MR LAX: Now, tell us a little bit about the area that you were staying in at that time, Nkanga.