Human Rights Violation Hearings — Mooiriver — 1997-05-29

CHAIRPERSON: We will continue to investigate the case, and we will do the things that you have asked us to do, but obviously we can give no guarantee that we will resolve this case satisfactorily.  But we hope that you are able to take some strength from the memory of Clare as a brave and committed person.  So we thank you very much for coming in and telling us Clare's story today.

WITNESS:   Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: We didn't have a tea break this morning because we started late.  We're going to have a lunch break now for one hour, so please can you be back here in the hall at 1.30.  We will start again at 1.30.  Thank you very much.
LUNCH ADJOURNMENT
/ON RESUMPTION
ON RESUMPTION

CHAIRPERSON: We're going to start again now, and we would ask the next witness, who is Mrs Sithole, Dingile Sithole, to come up now.  Good afternoon, Mrs Sithole, we welcome you here today.  You have also come to speak to us from Brandville, and you've come to tell us about the death of your husband in 1991.  Before you tell us that story can you please take the oath.

DINGILE MELITA SITHOLE: (Sworn, States)

CHAIRPERSON: Dr Mgojo will now help you.

KHOZA MGOJO: Good day, Mrs Sithole.  I understand your pain and I would like to pass my sympathy.  I understand it's really painful, but we have to talk about this, about the death of your husband, Bhoyi Sithole.  It's sad, and knowing the way he died.  Before we start going into this I would like you to give us a detailed background of your family.  We want to know how many children you have and if you have grandchildren as well?  Now, you can start whenever you're ready.  (Pause)  If it's difficult for you to say anything you must tell us, because some people can't - or they are unable to relate such stories.

WITNESS:  It's true he died.  He was from work.

KHOZA MGOJO: I would like you to first give us a picture of your family before you can start relating this story to us.

WITNESS:   I have nine children, and I have six grandchildren whom I am staying with.

KHOZA MGOJO: You just said you're staying with six.

WITNESS:   Like I said I have nine children and six grandchildren.

KHOZA MGOJO: Where are your kids?

WITNESS:   They are working, and some of them are in their homes.  They have their own houses.  I am only left with three of them.

KHOZA MGOJO: You say you have three in your home?

WITNESS:   Yes, I have three.  They aren't in school.  Only my grandchildren who are in school.

KHOZA MGOJO: Where are they attending school?

WITNESS:   They are attending school in Brandville.

KHOZA MGOJO: Who is paying for their education?

WITNESS:   It's me.

KHOZA MGOJO: Are you still working?

WITNESS:   No, I am no longer working, I am a pensioner.  They were never married.

KHOZA MGOJO: You can take your time.  (Pause)

WITNESS:   They were never married.

KHOZA MGOJO: Are they working?

WITNESS:   No, they aren't.

KHOZA MGOJO: In other words you are maintaining your grandchildren?

WITNESS:   Yes, I am.

KHOZA MGOJO: Do you know what standards are your grandchildren in?

WITNESS:   Zenzele is in standard five.  Nokuthula is in standard two.  Njabulo is also in school.

KHOZA MGOJO: What standard is he in?

WITNESS:   In first year.  And my other two grandchildren are not in school, they are at home.

KHOZA MGOJO: Do you know what standard did they leave school?

WITNESS:   They aren't working.  I didn't have money to take them to school, but their age is an accurate age for being in school.  The other one is seven years old, the other one was born in 1980.  They never sent to school because I didn't have money.  I didn't have enough money because I was supposed to buy them uniform as well.

KHOZA MGOJO: Now I would like you to start relating to us the incident which happened and led to your husband's death.

WITNESS:   There was violence at that time, but what happened is that my husband left for work.  When he came from work he didn't even reach home because he was shot right inside the car where he was in.

KHOZA MGOJO: Where was he working?

WITNESS:   He was working in a firm here in Mooi River.

KHOZA MGOJO: Was he a member of any political organisation?

WITNESS:  I would say yes, he was a member of ANC, because the area where we were staying was an ANC stronghold area.

KHOZA MGOJO: In other words there was a conflict between ANC and Inkatha members?

WITNESS:   Yes, there was, because the hostel residents were Inkatha members.

KHOZA MGOJO: Do you know the people who killed your husband?

WITNESS:   No, I don't.

KHOZA MGOJO: You don't even know where they were staying?

WITNESS:  No, I don't.

KHOZA MGOJO: When your husband was attacked was he still in the car, or this happened after he got off from the car?

WITNESS:  Yes, it was after he got off.  These people saw him getting out of the car, and that's when they attacked him and they started assaulting him.

KHOZA MGOJO: What did they use to kill him?

WITNESS:   They shot him.

KHOZA MGOJO: So they didn't stab him?

WITNESS:   No, they didn't.

KHOZA MGOJO: Was there anyone who was arrested?

WITNESS:   No, I never heard of anyone being arrested in connection with this case.

KHOZA MGOJO: I want to check and verify some things which is written here in your statement.  In your statement it says there was an IFP member who was arrested in connection with the murder of your husband and he was later released.  Is this true?

WITNESS:   I never went there.

KHOZA MGOJO: I don't understand this.

WITNESS:   I never went to any case.

KHOZA MGOJO: I am trying to rectify something which is written on your statement.  On your statement it says there was an IFP member who was arrested in connection with the death of your husband, and later he was released.  Is this true?

WITNESS:   I heard about that.  It's true I heard about that.

KHOZA MGOJO: Can you tell us or give us the name of this person who was arrested and later released?

WITNESS:   No, I don't know this person.

KHOZA MGOJO: Was there any case or inquest?

WITNESS:   I think there was an inquest in Pietermaritzburg, and my children went there.

KHOZA MGOJO: What happened?  Did they find out who killed your husband?

WITNESS:   No.

KHOZA MGOJO: Now I would like you to tell us how did this affect you, your life?

WITNESS:   I was really traumatised, and it affected my life badly.  And today as I am talking to you I have grandchildren and they don't even have food to eat.

KHOZA MGOJO: What about your health?  How do you feel after you lost your husband?

WITNESS:   I was only diagnosed as someone who is suffering from high blood pressure and nothing else.  I am confused sometimes, and sometimes early in the morning I would think as to what to eat the whole day.

KHOZA MGOJO: Are you seeing any doctors?

WITNESS:   No.  I used to go to doctors when I was sick.

KHOZA MGOJO: Are you still going to doctors?

WITNESS:   If I have received money I do go.

KHOZA MGOJO: Now, you will need to give our counsellors your name - one of them is the one sitting next to you - and maybe we can try and write a letter so that you get assistance perhaps.  And again we can try to do something for Zenzele and Nokuthula, your granddaughters, to write a recommendation letter so that they don't pay in school.  This lady next to you will be able to help you with regard to that.

WITNESS:   Yes, I understand.

MR LAX: Thank you, Chairperson.  Mrs Sithole, you mentioned there was an inquest in 'Maritzburg as far as you could remember.  Would you - what did your children tell you about that inquest?  Where did it happen?   (Pause)  Can you understand?

WITNESS:  In court.

MR LAX: (Inaudible) ... speak to the children who went there, and if you could just ask them to contact us just to tell us which court it was.  That will help us track down the records.  Thank you.