Human Rights Violation Hearings — Winelands — 1996-10-14

REV XUNDU: The people - the other people that you think were there besides those that were hung, if the Government would investigate the people that were with Nozulu.  Besides those that were hung?

MS KABANE: Yes, they are in the villages, some in Okadjana, some in Nxamakwa, others were just given suspended sentences.

REV XUNDU: Thank you Mr Chairmen, I give the witness back to you.  Thank you ma'am, to you have ...[intervention]

CHAIRPERSON: Pumla Gobodo

MS GOBODO: Thank you ma'am, thank you Mr Chairmen.  What you have just told us is very painful, ma'am.  It is evident that the killing of people because they disagreed with certain organizations did not start around 1985 or '86.  It even happened way back in the 1960's, it is painful that people were killed because they were forced to be of the same few with these organizations.  We trust that one of the results of our work, would be to teach people and enlighten people to be able to refuse and say no and the others to except that people are of different views.  We are were we are today in our Country because blacks and white in this country were not able to fight for the truth because they were to scared.  You say that your mother was married in 1960, so when Nozulu left you were only married for 2 years.  How old were your children at the time?

MS KABANE: I had 2 children
Nosipo was born in 1960, the 5th of September  
 Sithembila was born in 1962 on the 4th of September
Nosipo was 1 year 2 months, Sithembila was one month, 2 weeks, this is why it was difficult to see the corpse without a head because I was still breast feeding.   I had 2 very young children, this is why I'm saying to the Truth Commission, my heart is still weeping and bleeding against the people who killed Nozulu.  
Those who died and those who's still alive.  My children would be  very advanced were my husband still alive.    
Even those who are still alive, my heart is still against them until they come and ask for forgiveness.  
 My husband was working for Rembrandt, working for my children.  Thank you ma'am.

MS GOBODO: This picture that you have drawn of holding your children by the teeth shows us how much you are struggling for your children, it depicts the picture.  Is this your daughter?

MS KABANE: No, this is my sister, my child is not well.  This is why I'm asking for help.  Nosipho is not well, if you would see he you would also realize that.  She has three children
 Sithembila was bitten up  at eMalholweni in 1988 on the 10th of April.
 Stembele passed away, he was beaten up at eMalholweni
I had 2 children, I now have one.  Sithembila was beaten up on the 10th of April 1988 and he died immediately.

MS GOBODO: Why was he killed?

MS KABANE: I do not know because I was of ill health and I was not there, but because my husband passed away in the nature, and then my child died, I related the 2 but I could not be sure.

MS GOBODO: That is very painful ma'am because as your husband passed away in a very bad manner, then again your child who was now a breadwinner you also lost him - killed by our neighbours.  This must be very difficult for you to except in your heart?  We have excepted your request that the perpetrators must come and ask for forgiveness so that you to may have a peaceful heart.  We hope that we will be able to for fill your request.  Thank you ma'am.

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much ma'am for having come here to give this evidence.  To open this wound, our work is that we cleanse wounds such as yours so that the Lord can use the balm of the Holy Spirit to comfort you.  Because we have no words for people who had have suffered such as you.  People who like you who have lost a husband and a son, you probably ask yourself why it is that all these bad things happen to you.  We have also heard your request that we investigate your rights and the rights of your children and a request for a tombstone. We've heard all this, so we are able to do, we will be able to resent our case to the President and recommend your requests to the President.  We'll ask the President in your name, may the Lord be with you and comfort  you, thank you.