Human Rights Violation Hearings — Bisho — 1996-09-11

ADV SANDI:  Did you not say that this Commission should ascertain or make a request to the government to build houses for victims like you?

WITNESS:  Yes I did say.

ADV SANDI:  Do you have another request that you would like to make Mr Mbathu?

WITNESS:  No I do not but I just need my money because I was injured.

ADV SANDI:  Did you say that you have got a bullet in your head?  What do the doctors say, why don't they remove it?

WITNESS:  I was operated on.  They probably removed it.

ADV SANDI:  Is this bullet still in your head because your statement says you have a bullet in your head?

WITNESS:  I do not know.

ADV SANDI:  Is this all you would like to say?

WITNESS:  Yes.

ADV SANDI: Thank you very much Mr Mbathu.  I will take you back to Mr Chairman.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  Is there anyone with questions?  No.  Thank you sir.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION: BISHO MASSACRE - DAY 3 - 11 SEPTEMBER 1996

CASE NO: 6

ADV SANDI: We will request Mr Boyce Nqono to come to the mile.
BOYCE NQONO   Duly sworn states

ADV SANDI: Greetings Mr Nqono this morning.

WITNESS:  Good morning.

ADV SANDI:  Can we start at the point where there were shootings and where a bullet entered your body, please.

WITNESS:  It was at the Ciskeian borders.  We were still in a bit, we saw comrades at the field and we thought we should also cross the field and go to the stadium.  When we came close to the razor wire and were entering the stadium I got shot.  We saw comrades going back and a helicopter going up.  When I was running, turning right, a bullet entered my body at my left.  I fell down.  A comrade helped me trying to run.  We left and we went to an old house.  There was a fire going.  I got into a taxi and I was taken to the Gray hospital.

ADV SANDI:  Were you transferred from the Gray hospital to Frere?

WITNESS:  Yes, I was stitched then sent to Frere.  At Frere hospital I got full health.

ADV SANDI:  How long did you stay for at the Frere hospital?

WITNESS:  I was admitted on a Monday, stayed the Tuesday, on Wednesday I was discharged.  They said they don't see any damage because my bones were not affected but my arm was not functioning at all.  I could not feel anything.  I went home to Dimbaza on Wednesday.  They kept on saying that I must come back to see what's going on.  When I went back to Frere, they decided to operate on me in 1993.  They realised that my - most of the time my arm does not function.  I then kept on going to Frere hospital on Tuesday.

ADV SANDI:  Mr Nqono, could you tell us more about your arm.  You say that it's not functioning well and you are constantly feeling pain.  Is there any type of treatment that you get?

WITNESS:  My arm functions but not well because I hurt all the muscles.  When it's too hot or too cold, it's painful.  It's got no strength.  Whenever I realise that it hurts or there is something wrong, I go to Frere hospital.  They then treat me then I go back to work.

ADV SANDI:  Where do you work Mr Nqono?

WITNESS:  I work in Dimbaza.

ADV SANDI:  What are the names of the attorneys that you went to?

WITNESS:  That is Smith and Thabata.

ADV SANDI:  When did you go to them for advice?

WITNESS:  I went in 1993.  I was then advised by a member of the Parliament to go to the attorneys.  Mr Sulkooper was in Frere and said that he is handling the whole case.  I asked Mr Smuts.

ADV SANDI:  Do you remember the date and month in 1993 when you went to Mr Smith?

WITNESS:  No I don't remember well but it was mid 1993.

ADV SANDI:  What did Mr Smith say?

WITNESS:  He said that if, when you are claiming from the government, six months must not elapse from the time of the incident and the six months had already elapsed but he said he will try to help me.  He made the claim.

ADV SANDI:  Did you go back to him?

WITNESS:  Yes I did, I go frequently and he just keeps on saying that he sent my claim through to the government but they have not responded.  What is happening?  No clarity has come.  I went even yesterday to ask what is happening.  He said that there has been no progress.

ADV SANDI:  I notice here that you have requests?

WITNESS:  First of all, you requested you want to be helped in educating your children.

ADV SANDI:  How many children do you have?

WITNESS:  I have three.

ADV SANDI:  Are they all at school?

WITNESS:  Only one is at school and the other two are at creche, but because I don't go to work all the time, I have problems.  Even at work, I have to be assisted in order to perform my job fully.  My arm has no strength.

ADV SANDI:  Do you have another request?

WITNESS:  Yes there is another request.

ADV SANDI:  Can you tell us briefly.

WITNESS:  The request that I made is that I be given a disability grant from 1993.  When the doctors gave me a disability - I only put a full request for a disability grant in 1994.  There has been no progress.

ADV SANDI:  Is that all you have to tell us Mr Nqono, concerning your requests?

WITNESS:  I have another request.  It is very difficult for me to work.  This place that I work at - I then went - I talked to my management and told them my problem that my arm is not functioning well.  I will request that they then gave me a job but your problem must not affect your production.  I struggle at work because my arm gives me problems and my manager tells me that I mustn't go to work.  He then takes me to clinics to get medication.

ADV SANDI:  Thank you Mr Nqono.  I will ask Mr Chairman to take over.

WITNESS:  I have another request.  That the Commission must thank two members of Parliament that helped me during the time I was unemployed.  That is Mr Smuts Ngonyama gave me money to go to Frere and Mr Sam Goniwe, he also assisted me financially.  Thank you.

ADV SANDI: These MP's that you are talking about, are these MP's at Bisho, Mr Smuts Ngonyama and Mr Sam Goniwe who gave testimony here.  Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: That's wonderful.  Yes you - In many ways actually you humble us, you know, and you are a rare people and a special people.  Thank you very much.  I see that there are people reading newspapers.  Please respect this Commission.  If you want to read your newspaper or you want us to see that you are literate, please go outside the hall, we will see you.  Although we want people to be relaxed, it is a very important body this and please [indistinct] its dignity.  Thank you.

ADV SANDI: Thank you Mr Chairperson.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION: BISHO MASSACRE - DAY 3 - 11 SEPTEMBER 1996

CASE NO: 7

ADV SANDI: At this point we are going to go to Ms Yoliswa Shiyiwe Kewuti.  I would like to ask her to come closer to the microphone please.
YOLISWA SHIYIWE KEWUTI   Duly sworn states

ADV SANDI: Good morning Ms Kewuti, I'd like to greet you this morning.

WITNESS:  Good morning Chairperson.

ADV SANDI:  I would like to ask you that when you speak, you please come closer to the microphone and also ask you that when you speak, you look at me so that in case I want to indicate anything to you, you can see me.  Thank you Ms Kewuti.  You said that on that day of the shootings on the 7th September 1992, you were part of the march, is that correct?

WITNESS:  Yes Mr Chairman.

ADV SANDI:  Can you please tell this Commission what happened to you when the shooting erupted.