Amnesty Hearings — Durban — 1999-10-07

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: I know they terrorised my brother actually, Eric, because he was also a political activist.  They, I don't know where they picked him up from and took him to the police station and arrested him and swore him and so on.  I know of my cousin who also spoke of another incident where, I don't know what they were looking for these two youngsters for, whether they had dagga on them or whatever and they actually came bursting into her house.  My cousin is actually sitting in the audience now and they actually threatened to shoot her unless she released him and she had to really reason with Mr Klein, Mr Moosa and some other people.  I think we even called them sergeants.  We referred to them as sergeants or constables, because they had that status of police reservists.

ADV PRIOR: Just to follow, nothing really turns on it, was any action taken against these people, for example, were they ever reported or did you think that would serve no purpose?

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: Those days nobody reported the police if they arrest you, you just suffered it out.

ADV PRIOR: These trips to Botswana and particularly the return, we heard evidence that on those occasions that you returned to the Republic, normally material, explosives, ammunition, weapons were brought in.  You passed through formal border posts, is that correct?

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: Yes, we were always searched and they never ever found anything, with sniffer dogs and everything.

ADV PRIOR: That was my question.  It just struck me during the evidence that there was never an occasion where there was even the slightest suspicion.

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: So that's why it was hard for me to think that there is something here, when nobody finds it.

ADV PRIOR: It wasn't a question that the customs or whoever had to be bribed to turn ...(intervention)

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: Well, they were never bribed in my presence, I don't know.

ADV PRIOR: Alright.  There's just one last aspect.  We do have regard to your treatment during your detention, are you aware from the - sorry before I go there, did you appear before the Committee on Human Rights Violations of the Commission?

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: Yes.

ADV PRIOR: Are you aware whether anyone has applied for amnesty for your, for the way in which you were treated in detention?

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: No.

ADV PRIOR: And I'm referring specifically to any member of the Security Branch?

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: No, I'm not aware.

ADV PRIOR: And likewise for your sister's treatment?

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: No, I'm not aware.

ADV PRIOR: Thank you Mr Chairman.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY ADV PRIOR

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you Mr Prior.  Mr Dehal, do you have any re-examination?

MR DEHAL: Thank you.  I have none.
NO RE-EXAMINATION BY MR DEHAL

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.  Adv Sigodi, do you have any questions you would like to ask?

ADV SIGODI: No thank you Chair.

CHAIRPERSON: Thanks.  Judge Pillay, any question?
Thank  you Ms Narkedien, that concludes your testimony.

ZAHRAH NARKEDIEN: Thank you.
WITNESS EXCUSED

ADV PRIOR: Mr Chairman, I know we've not sat the full day today.  However, I think we've made quite good progress.  I see it's almost quarter to four.  We do have another three applicants left.  It's my assessment that we would comfortably finish within the time allocated at least by Monday.  What I'm saying is, is there any purpose of starting a witness now and obviously not finishing?

CHAIRPERSON: I don't know.  Who is the intended next witness, Mr Dehal?

MR DEHAL: Thank you, Mr Chairperson.  We proposed calling Mr Pearce next.  I don't know, I've lost touch whether Ms Kooverjee represents him, or I, but it doesn't really matter.  His statement needs to be amended.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, no I'm just asking you whether, what's your attitude, do you want to start now or would you prefer to start tomorrow morning?

MR DEHAL: I'd much rather tomorrow morning, if you don't mind.  Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, would half past nine be convenient?
Thank you.  We'll now adjourn until half past nine tomorrow morning, the same venue.  Thank you.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS