Human Rights Violation Hearings — Pietersburg — 1996-06-17

RUSSELL ALLY: So he was 19/20.  Now before this incident, did the police, the security police show any interest in Philip before this, had he been visited by the police, was he ever detained before, or anything like that?

MRS LEGODI: No he was never visited by the police, nothing.

RUSSELL ALLY: So this May Day celebration, was this the first time that you as a family became aware that Philip may have been involved in political activity?

MRS LEGODI: It was my first time.

RUSSELL ALLY: Philip died a few years later, and you say he died because he developed bed sores, what else actually happened to Philip, was it the bed sores or did he develop any other illnesses?

MRS LEGODI: It was the bed sores Sir that killed him.

RUSSELL ALLY: And this was when, when did he die?

MRS LEGODI: He passed away last year in February.

RUSSELL ALLY: Thank you.

THOMAS MANTHATA: In your statement it is said that Philip ran into the house belonging to another woman, who tried to hide him.  And then the police came to fetch him.  Do you know the name of the woman who hid him?

MRS LEGODI: No, we didn't come to know the woman because Mr Mapulo gave us the statement after Philip's death, but we as the family members know nothing of that issue.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Did you hear from Dr Molepu about Philip or did you receive the news after his death as well?

MRS LEGODI: I don't understand your question Sir?

THOMAS MANTHATA: You said he was examined by Dr Molema.

MRS LEGODI: Yes that's correct.

THOMAS MANTHATA: And thereafter did you meet Dr Molepo, so that he could help you as to what kind of injuries he sustained?

MRS LEGODI: We were told that Philip was taken by Dr Molepo and Majekani.  When he came back from Garagkuwa he used to go to Dr Molepo's surgery for check ups because he had back pains.  We heard that the comrades arrived after Phillips death.

THOMAS MANTHATA: While he was sick at home, did they ever come?

MRS LEGODI: Yes they would come to visit him. I must say thatwhen these bed sores were not so bad on him they would come as friends and sit with him at home.  At one stage we took him to the private hospital because he was severly attacked by these bed sores, and then he was only seen by the members of the family.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Did you understand the activities of the comrades at that time?

MRS LEGODI: No we didn't know anything.  We only they were visiting their friend.

THOMAS MANTHATA: Thank you.

MR MALAN: May I just, I'm not sure whether you've given us any information.  The shooting of Philip, do you know what kind of gun it was? Was it a bullet gun or was it a shot gun?

MRS LEGODI: I don't know anything, but his operation was not so big where they removed the bullet. It was just a small wound.

MR MALAN: Do you have any of the medical records, any of the x-rays, any of the examinations by doctors?

MRS LEGODI: If I can search for them at home I will find them.

MR MALAN: Please if you do find them, if you can give them to the Commission?

MRS LEGODI: I will do so Sir.

MR MALAN: My last question, Philip was paralysed, was he paralysed from the waiste downwards, could he still use his hands, or was he paralysed from the neck downwards?

MRS LEGODI: It was from the waist down.  His hands were still functioning.

MR MALAN: Melita, what would you request the Commission to do for the family?

MRS LEGODI: I don't know what to say, because Philip was the last born. The older sister is married and then the other one took Philip to school, and then she didn't work after that.  I was also taken away from the place where I was staying to take care of Philip and I'm not working now. His grandmother is getting a pension, I don't know what kind of help the Commission can offer my granny.  I really don't know.

MR MALAN: Thank you Mrs Legodi, I think we'll break now for tea and we'll come back at 11 o'clock.  Thank you.