Human Rights Violation Hearings — Worcester — 1996-06-24

MS KHUTWANE: Yes - I've heard by Niewoudt while they  were still ruling the location - I've heard from the other - other girl pointing that is Niewoudt, I think you must be aware.  He is the one who said his [indistinct] to me, the one who was beating me the other day.  I only discovered then that's Niewoudt.
 They take me to the prison, where I was badly treated, that was Worcester prison, I've never experienced such a bad treatment as that.  I also suffered from meningitis - when - while it was raining they asked us to take our blankets outside and then when they were wet we must take them back sleeping with those wet blankets.  I had no doctor to treat me then.  Vallie Moosa was one of those who assisted me and helped me, they take me to hospital - it's when I got treatment, I got a bail.
 A Magistrate came along, his name was Botha - then I was sent back to the prison and there were fifteen other accused and I was told to be, I was informed that I was accused no 1 and I was [intervention]

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: As you were accused did you ever go to report and lay charge about the treatment that you received.

MS KHUTWANE: No I didn't have an opportunity to do so, because we knew that even the people  who could defend us, Miriam and others, were always helping us and giving us support.  But they were always detained all the time and you would become fearful of the police.  But fortunately one advocate assisted us, it was Mr Kawalski - we had our case, it lasted for a year and then I was acquitted.
 During the period when I  was detained, I was just in confused state - I didn't know what was happening to me, I didn't even know whether I was going to be acquitted or I was  going to be kept for quite a long time.  One of the people informed me that whilst I was detained my place was burnt down whilst I was in prison and I was informed that it - the petrol bomb was thrown at it - so one of my children died because he had an epileptic attack.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Is it - were there people who said you have betrayed others?

MS KHUTWANE: Yes, I do not know what happened to Niewoudt because during the time when they arrested me, they never came to me and informed me why was I accused.  They didn't even tell me why my house was burnt down, so I could see that even the community was ostracising me - I was being ridiculed by everybody because my house was destroyed through arson.  But I have never turned my back against them - I am still an ANC member.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: In your statement you had mentioned that we should find out why was your house burnt down, how was it burnt, how were you degraded and how were you - reported as an informer.

MS KHUTWANE: Yes I would like that to happen.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: I would like to ask you one last question - do you know the names of the police who were using abusive language towards you and those who were molesting you.

MS KHUTWANE: No I do not know them - it's one of those who had berets on their heads, small berets.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: So you don't know who their names were?

MS KHUTWANE: No I don't.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: If you could know them - what would you do if you can meet them or what would you say to them.

MS KHUTWANE: Do you want to know if I can say to them if I meet them.

MS KHUTWANE: Yes I would like to find out.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: What would you say to them should you meet them?

MS KHUTWANE: You know I would say to them even if they enjoy life now, I can just inform them that they should try to have manners.

MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA: Okay we are finished you -  I would hand over to the Chairperson - thank you very much.

DR BORAINE: Thank you very much indeed - any other questions - no.  None of my colleagues have any further questions.  You have been through a very hard time and not only were you very badly molested and insulted, imprisoned -  solitary confinement - charged - kept waiting for two years before your case was heard and found not guilty and then to find that your own friends and comrades suspected you of giving information and informing.
 You lost your house, your family has been unwell, you have suffered very-very deeply and we are very aware of the pain that you have experienced.  We have noted your  request to the Commission, we have written it down, we will follow it up.  We will do everything we can to try and find out the information that you have asked for and we just hope and pray that your own life will know some peace and happiness and joy because you certainly deserve it, you have been through a great deal.  Thank you very much for coming today and sharing this with us and we hope you go well - thank you very much.