Human Rights Violation Hearings — Klerksdorp — 1996-09-23

CHAIRPERSON: Order, please!

DR RANDERA: Senator Rasmeni, good afternoon.  Welcome.

MR RASMENI: Good afternoon, Dr Randera.

DR RANDERA: It has been a long day for you.  Could you please introduce the lady who is with you today?

MR RASMENI: Yes, Doctor.  This is my wife, Rachel Rasmeni and in most of the events that took place she was directly involved.  Maybe if through the permission of the Commission she would also make her statement to the fact of what happened.

DR RANDERA: Senator, I would like the Chairperson to make a ruling on that particular request.

CHAIRPERSON: One of the problems is, I mean, has she given a statement, is there a written statement?  Because for your sake and our sake, it is usually a good thing to have a written statement. Is it vital matters that she would corroborate?

MR RASMENI: Yes, she never signed her own statement, we were together when we compiled the statement.

CHAIRPERSON: Yes, I understand.  Well, I would have - you are married in community of property?  (Laughter).

MRS RASMENI: Everything.

CHAIRPERSON: And what is yours is hers.
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MR RASMENI: Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: I would say, if there is a matter of some substance which you haven't mentioned ...

MR RASMENI: Thank you, Bishop.

DR RANDERA: Thank you Chairperson, for getting me out of that one.
 Senator, you are coming here today to talk about two incidents, as I understand it.  One was related to an attempted murder on your life and the other one was related to a bombing of your house and attempted killing again.  
 Senator, before we go on to the stories, I wonder if you could actually give us a brief outline of your family life and your life.  I understand that you are from this area of Klerksdorp.  Were you born in this area?  If you can just give us that sort of background, please.

MR RASMENI: Thank you, Doctor.  My name is Mandlenkosi Rasmeni, commonly known as Solly Rasmeni.  I got married in 1981.  I was born in Sterkspruit. I started working around the mining towns like Rustenberg.  In 1975 I came to Klerksdorp and I worked for the mine called Vaal Reefs Mines.  I established myself around here, up until I got married.
 I subsequently joined the National Union of Mineworkers during its inception.  I also acted as community leader in the form of the civics and I ultimately worked for the National Union of Mineworkers as a regional organiser.  I was also instrumental in establishing the structures in the Western Transvaal, together with other comrades, who formed a leadership in this Western Transvaal.  People like Zakes Molekane, people like Thabo Sithole, people like Sylvia Benjamin, Howard Jawa, my wife as well, Rachel Rasmeni and 
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I also became a chairperson of the ANC in the Western Transvaal and I am now a senator.

DR RANDERA: Can you give us a brief background - before I now actually into the meat of your statement, will you please stand to take the oath.

MANDLENKOSI S RASMENI: (Duly sworn, states).

DR RANDERA: Thank you.  Senator, if you can now just go on to tell us about what you have already made clear in your statements.