Human Rights Violation Hearings — Ladybrand — 1997-06-25

CHAIRPERSON: I think all we are concerned about is the health of her, and if there was a way we could help, but only in relation to hospital, to get specialised treatment.  With that we can help.

WITNESS:   (Inaudible)

CHAIRPERSON: Okay.  Anyway, thank you very much for having shared with us your experience.

MR LAX: There was just one aspect, sorry, that I forgot to ask about, and that was did you open any cases in relation to the damages to the various shops, and to your brother's death?

WITNESS:   Only to my shop.

MR LAX: Was there ever an inquest into your brother's death?

WITNESS:   The perpetrators were never caught, and the case - the people who were caught they were found not guilty.

MR LAX: Not guilty.  Where was that case?

WITNESS:   It was in the Regional Court in - no, no, in Supreme Court in Bloemfontein.

MR LAX: Supreme Court in Bloemfontein?

WITNESS:   That is correct.

MR LAX: Roughly when, if you can give us some idea?

WITNESS:   It was during the course of 1981.

MR LAX: And with regard to your shop, did anything come of that case?

WITNESS:   Because there were so many people, more than - I mean the whole community, some were caught and were found guilty.

MR LAX: Where did that case take place?

WITNESS:   It took place in the Regional Court in Bloemfontein.

MR LAX: Thank you very much.

WITNESS:   The same.

MR LAX: /CHAIRPERSON

CHAIRPERSON: I greet you, Mr and Mrs Mahloko.  Again we welcome you today here, and we thank you for having had courage to come over here to share your experiences with us today.  Before we start you will need to take an oath, and Mr Lax will help you to take that oath just now.

PAULUS MAHLOVO AND MRS MAHLOVO: (Sworn, States)   (Through Interpreter)

CHAIRPERSON: I will lead you and assist you when you tell us your story.  Sometimes it's not always easy to tell us about the experiences which are sad, and which happened a long time ago and in this type of situation, so I will be there for you.  Could you start by telling us something about your family - your children, how old they are, and what they are doing now?

WITNESS:   The eldest one is married.  It's a daughter.  She has three children.  She has her own family.  The other one who followed after that one is a son, who has one child.  He was a wife and one child.  The one who followed that one is the one who has died and is the one who we are going to talk about.  He left behind a wife and one child.  Then comes the last-born, who is still a student by now.  Now my wife - myself and my wife and that student, who is the last one, we are not working.  I am a pensioner.  My wife doesn't qualify for pension, so she is not working because of the disease she is suffering from.  She has that problem, and when she starts working that disease starts.  (Inaudible) ... was removed, that's why she has this problem.

CHAIRPERSON: Okay, thank you very much.  Can you tell me more about your son.  You said he had a wife.  Where is the wife now?

WITNESS:   His wife was taken by her family after my son has died in the hands of the police.  They have taken her together with the son, the child.

CHAIRPERSON: How old is the child?

WITNESS:   I believe he's now 10 years old.

CHAIRPERSON: Have you had contact with him lately?

WITNESS:   Unfortunately they have severed the contact with us because our son has since died.  In our tradition where he was not yet married in terms of our culture - he didn't pay lobola, so they were not married.

CHAIRPERSON: But do you know where we can find the child?  We are much more concerned about the child.  Do you know where we can find the child?

WITNESS:   Yes, I know where you can find him.  You can find him where the mother stays.

CHAIRPERSON: At the time when your son died was he working?

WITNESS:  He was a student.

CHAIRPERSON: And how old was he at the time?

WITNESS:   He was 21 years old.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much.  According to the statement which I have here you want to tell us about the story that relates to the death of your son, Samuel, who died in detention.  Can you tell us what happened?