This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.
Name: Miriam Molete - Witness
17-05-1999: Day 11
Matter: Boipatong Massacre
CHAIRPERSON: Ms Molete, may I remind you you're still under oath?
MIRIAM MOLETE: (s.u.o.)
CHAIRPERSON: Yes Mr Strydom.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR STRYDOM: Thank you Chairperson. Chairperson, my attorney is still in the process of finalising that bundle which was referred to. It will be ready soon but I thought that I cannot delay the proceedings any further. Statements which I'm going to use to cross-examine this witness has been handed to all the parties on Friday so I will continue with my cross-examination and in due course that bundle will be ready. So the statements I'm referring to are statements made by this witness, Miriam Molete and a statement made by Florence Molete. I was informed the party has been handed these documents. My learned friend now shakes his head so he hasn't got a copy. I'll try to get a copy to hand over to him.
MR LAX: Mr Strydom, we don't have Florence Molete's statement. We've only got a hand-written one by Miriam and a typed one by Miriam.
MR STRYDOM: Oh, thank you Mr Lax, what I will do is I won't start with Florence until the bundle is available.
CHAIRPERSON: Now what is the situation, is the situation that this statement by this witness will form part of the bundle that's been prepared?
MR STRYDOM: Yes Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Oh, okay very well.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, for the record we don't have any statements, either of Florence Molete or Miriam Molete.
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, I will start with my cross-examination without reference to these statements and when they become ready I will deal with the statements. Thanks Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes you may proceed.
MR STRYDOM: Thank you.
Ms Molete just as an introduction I want to inform you that I'm not going to cross-examine you about the tragedy that happened at the house. Apart from certain issues you stated that the person who attacked you and Mita was a White person, so I'll ask you certain questions in that regard. You also said that you saw two people in camouflage uniforms. I will ask you certain questions about that and then you stated that you saw a Koyoco driving towards the factories. I'll ask you about that.
Now firstly, you stated that your husband was shot. I want to put to you and maybe you can comment on this statement that according to the post-mortem report and other documentation in my possession, your husband died as a result of stab wounds. Are you prepared to accept that?
MS M MOLETE: No I don't accept that.
MR STRYDOM: Why do you say your husband was shot?
MS M MOLETE: I said that my husband was hacked with a panga while he was in the house and then ultimately he was shot from behind on the upper shoulder.
MR STRYDOM: Were you there when he was shot or not?
MS M MOLETE: No, I wasn't present.
MR LAX: Sorry, Mr Strydom, are you saying that, let me just clarify this, are you saying her husband wasn't shot at all or that he didn't die as a result of the gunshot because there's two quite different propositions.
MR STRYDOM: What I'm putting is according to the post-mortem report no bullet wounds were marked.
MR LAX: That's different.
MR STRYDOM: Or was found.
What I want to know from the witness on what basis do you say that your husband was inter alia shot?
MS M MOLETE: The reason why I say that is because my brothers and sisters were left behind and then after that the corpses were examined. The people refused, the police refused people to see the corpses and they removed the bullet and when I arrived at the hospital I was told that my husband died as a result of gunshots. He had three gun wounds that is why I say he died as result of gun wounds.
MR STRYDOM: You just mentioned that the bullets were removed or some reference to that. Can you just explain what do you say about that?
MS M MOLETE: That is what I was told by my brothers because they were there. When they arrived at the hospital they told me that.
MR STRYDOM: So you've got no personal knowledge about the fact that your husband was shot?
MS M MOLETE: Mr Strydom, I said when I arrived at the hospital I asked my brothers whether my husband is dead. They told me about the problems that they had and they said it to me my husband had died as a result of three bullet wounds.
CHAIRPERSON: We understand what you were told at the hospital. What counsel wants to find out is, of your own personal knowledge do you know whether you husband was shot?
MS M MOLETE: That is what they told me but the only thing that I saw was that he was hurt while I was with him in the house. I only heard about the shots the following day when they told me that my husband was shot three times.
MR STRYDOM: I want you to look at Exhibit J, that is a plan of Boipatong including Slovo Park. I want you to indicate approximately where 17 Slovo Park is. Do you see the township itself and on the right hand side of Exhibit J you see drawings of which purport to be houses or shacks?
MR BERGER: Can I assist?
MR STRYDOM: Yes please.
Do you understand the map?
CHAIRPERSON: Any progress.
MR BERGER: The witness is indicating something about Slovo Park near the corner of Bapedi Street.
MS M MOLETE: Yes, that is at the corner of Bapedi from the shops, it is just near the corner.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, if one will take the route from the shops going towards Slovo Park you get to the houses there at Slovo Park, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: Yes that is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Now number 17, the place where you were that night. In relation to the corner of Bakwena and Bapedi Street, can you just indicate where that position is, or that house?
MS M MOLETE: Bakwena Street is not indicated here, I can't see it.
MR STRYDOM: The street that runs between the Boipatong Township and Slovo Park, do you see that? That's the last street.
MS M MOLETE: Unfortunately it's not a good photostat copy but you can see Bakwena is the last street.
MS M MOLETE: I cannot see clearly from this map, it's dark.
MR STRYDOM: But just accept the last street is Bakwena Street and obviously then it intersects with Bapedi Street, it forms a T-Junction. What I want to know ...(intervention)
MS M MOLETE: Yes I can see it now.
MR STRYDOM: From that T-Junction between Bapedi and Bakwena Street, can you indicate from that position where your or house 17 more or less is or was?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
MR BERGER: Ms Molete is indicating but I don't know if it's helpful because I don't know on your map but ours 17 is indicated. Is it indicated on yours as well?
MR STRYDOM: No, maybe just give me your indication.
MR BERGER: It's near the corner of Bapedi and Bakwena and it's - there's a row of houses, can you see that?
MR STRYDOM: Yes?
MR BERGER: And then just below it there's one, two, three, four?
MR STRYDOM: Yes?
CHAIRPERSON: Is there a 15 on your map? Mr Berger?
MR BERGER: Yes there is a 15, the one that I thought was indicated as 17 is actually 97.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, alright.
MR BERGER: And then there's a 73 I think
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, that's right here.
MR BERGER: I just want a broad indication where the witnesses house or where she was, not the exact spots.
MR BERGER: And Ms Molete has also indicated 15 as to where her husband was shot or was killed.
MR STRYDOM: How far from that house where your husband was killed was the shack you were in that night? Was it close by?
MS M MOLETE: They were neighbours.
CHAIRPERSON: So 15 and 17 were neighbours? Alright.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: So house number 17 is in the vicinity of the corner of Bapedi and Bafokeng but would be more along Bakwena Street which is where number 15 is indicated.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, it's at the corner of Bakwena and Bapedi Street.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, not Bafokeng, Bafokeng is right at the top of the township, just below.
CHAIRPERSON: I beg your pardon, it's Bakwena I'm referring to.
MR BERGER: Bakwena and Bapedi.
CHAIRPERSON: But it would be more ...(intervention)
MR BERGER: To the north of that corner?
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, along Bakwena just where number 15 is indicated. Thank you.
MR STRYDOM: Now in your evidence in chief you made reference to Apollo lights. From that position of that house, where will you find the closest Apollo light?
MS M MOLETE: The nearest Apollo light is at the corner of Majola Street.
MR STRYDOM: The corner of Majola and which street?
MS M MOLETE: It's at the corner of Majola and the street next to Slovo.
MR STRYDOM: That's Bakwena Street?
MS M MOLETE: Yes that is correct, it's Bakwena.
MR STRYDOM: I want to put to you that that's not correct. The two closest Apollo lights you will find firstly on the corner of Bakwena and Mashweshwe Street, that's towards the right hand corner of the map in front of you, Exhibit J so it's two streets lower than Majola. Corner Mashweshwe and Bakwena.
MR BERGER: If you can just let me find Mashweshwe I'll indicate it.
MR STRYDOM: That's the last street.
CHAIRPERSON: I think Mashweshwe is the one that runs parallel Baralong.
MS M MOLETE: Yes it's at Mashweshwe Street, next to the tuck shop, it's just facing Florence's kitchen.
MR STRYDOM: And the other Apollo lighting, that vicinity or let me put it, the other one is not too far away, is the Apollo light on the corner of Bapedi and Morkari Avenue. Do you know if there's an Apollo light as well?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I know.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, do you have comments?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR BERGER: Ms Molete wants to explain to me, can you ask her to explain to everyone what's she's indicating about the Apollo lights?
MR STRYDOM: Yes, let me put it this way, I pointed to you according to my information you will find the two Apollo lights just to make it clear on the corner of Bapedi and Morkari Avenue and on the corner of Bakwena and Mashweshwe Avenue, do you agree with that or don't you agree? Can you explain?
MS M MOLETE: It is not in Mashweshwe but it's in Makwena, just next to the tuck shop.
MR BERGER: No, she said Majola. The interpreter translated it as Makwena but the witness said Majola.
MS M MOLETE: It is between Baralong and Majola on the side of Slovo Park.
MR STRYDOM: You've mentioned the tuck shop, maybe you must indicate where is that tuck shop?
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, as far as the witness is concerned, the nearest Apollo light is at the corner of Majola and Bakwena is that right?
MS M MOLETE: No, Baralong Street.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, Baralong and Majola don't intersect, they run parallel to one another.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
MR BERGER: So what the witness is indicating is that the Apollo light is on the side of Slovo Park, I would assume that by that she means in Bakwena between Baralong and Majola.
CHAIRPERSON: Where's Majola?
MR BERGER: Majola is one below Bapedi and Baralong is one below Majola so if one follows the two of them towards Slovo Park one hits Bakwena.
CHAIRPERSON: Bakwena.
MR BERGER: And she says that the nearest Apollo light is between Baralong and Majola. Is that right? Somewhere here?
CHAIRPERSON: So it is not at the corner of Majola and Bakwena? Okay.
MS M MOLETE: It is not in Bakwena because Bakwena runs from Bapedi.
MR BERGER: Let's just get clarity here?
CHAIRPERSON: Look, well I'm a bit lost here. Let me just go through this process once again. What I have recorded here which was interpreted was the nearest Apollo light is at the corner of Majola and Bakwena Streets?
MS M MOLETE: This street runs from Bapedi. When you walk with Bapedi from the shop and then you turn left, but when you turn on the right hand there is an Apollo which is between Majola and Baralong and there is a tuck shop and that Apollo light is just behind that tuck shop.
ADV SIGODI: Sorry, how far is this light from Slovo Park?
MS M MOLETE: The people who live in Slovo Park buy from that tuckshop. You just cross the main road. It is not a distance from the tuck shop. That street that runs from Bapedi to Baralong is known as Bakwena and then on the other side there is no street, you only see the houses on the Slovo Park side.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: Do you know where the beer hall is?
MS M MOLETE: Yes there was an old barber which is no longer there, I know that one.
MR STRYDOM: And that was on the corner of Mashweshwe and Bakwena Street, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: It is on the same street as Bakwena but there is no street from Bapedi towards that bar.
MR STRYDOM: You see I want to inform you and Chairperson, I'm going to refer to Exhibit EE on page 19 of the report about the elimination situation in Boipatong. It is stated in this report that there are seven Apollo lights distributed around the Northern Township and then they are tabled in this report and the fourth - page 19 Chairperson, it's marked on the bottom corner. The fourth Apollo light, there seems no argument about that is situated at corner Bapedi Street and Morkari Avenue, it seems to be opposite house 208 Morkari, I think it should read. Then the other Apollo light which I referred you to is number 7, the reference there is Beer Hall, corner Mashweshwe and Bakwena Streets. Now what I want to put to you, according to this report which was compiled shortly after the Boipatong incident, there is no Apollo light where you indicated to be in Bakwena between Majola and Baralong Streets so if we accept for a moment that this report is correct, I'm putting it to you that you are wrong?
MR BERGER: The witness said that it's not in Bakwena, she's indicated that it's near Slovo Park behind the tuck shop and to get to the tuck shop you just cross the road and she said it's between Baralong and Majola.
MR STRYDOM: No, you don't understand, so it's just more to Slovo Park than to Bakwena Street.
MR BERGER: No, I think it's just slightly in towards Boipatong, just across which what would be Bakwena.
MR LAX: Just to put it in terms of direction, it's marginally north of where this report seems to indicate it is, perhaps a block or a half a block north, that's what she's indicating.
MR STRYDOM: Well, what I'm putting to you is according to the report there is no Apollo light where you indicated it to be, that's what I'm putting to you?
MS M MOLETE: I do not agree with that report because I know there is an Apollo light there.
MR STRYDOM: Tell me, the Apollo light you are referring to now, was it also there on the night of the attack?
MS M MOLETE: Yes it was there and it was late.
CHAIRPERSON: Which is this Apollo light that's in this street here?
MR STRYDOM: I think the one in issue ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: That's she's referring to.
MR STRYDOM: I've put to her that there's an Apollo light on the - very close to the corner of Bakwena and Mashweshwe.
CHAIRPERSON: Right?
MR STRYDOM: And she says no, it's higher up in a Northern direction between Majola and Baralong Streets.
CHAIRPERSON: Well, as I understand the evidence you put it to her that - I think you said the nearest Apollo light is at the corner of Mashweshwe and Bafokeng Street and the answer is yes.
MR STRYDOM: No, no in Bakwena Street and not Bafokeng, it was Bakwena Street.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes Bakwena Street, yes and the answer was yes.
MR STRYDOM: Yes that is initially the answer and then I asked her to elaborate and then she changed the position and she said no, the Apollo light, the closest Apollo light is between Majola and Baralong Street.
CHAIRPERSON: I suppose the question really has been phrased somewhat differently because as I understand it, the question was the next nearest I think it was you canvassed with us now, let's clear this up.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, sorry, when the yes was Molete was listening to Mr Strydom when he was positioning the lights, so she was saying yes.
CHAIRPERSON: Well she is not saying that she agrees when it was put to her that the nearest Apollo light is at the corner of Mashweshwe and Makwena.
MR BERGER: No, she's not agreeing to that.
CHAIRPERSON: Well ma'am, would you please tell us what Apollo lights you know and where they are in relation to Slovo Park?
MS M MOLETE: There is an Apollo light at the corner of Morkari and the other one is between Majola Street and Baralong and that's all that I know.
CHAIRPERSON: That's at the - I think you mentioned the corner of Morkari and what streets?
MS M MOLETE: It's between Morkari and Bapedi, that is the intersection of Morkari and Bapedi.
MR STRYDOM: Now I'm not going to take this point further off, I'm just going to put to you that where you say the Apollo light is situated which would be the closest to you is now between Majola and Baralong Street is not the correct position because if my information is correct that Apollo light is lower down in a southern direction towards the corner of Bakwena and Mashweshwe Street?
MS M MOLETE: You said I should explain the nearest Apollo. That one you're talking about is in Mashweshwe and it's not near Slovo Park.
MR STRYDOM: According to you is there another Apollo light at the corner of Mashweshwe and Bakwena Streets close to the old beer hall?
MS M MOLETE: It is in Mashweshwe Street, it is not on Slovo Park side.
MR STRYDOM: At approximately 10 o'clock that night was there still smoke and fog hanging over Boipatong?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: You testified that your husband and Mita went to bed already, Florence also got herself ready to go to bed and you still wanted to bath. What source of light did you still have on, if any, in the house?
MS M MOLETE: We were sitting around the fire and we used a paraffin lamp and in the bedrooms we used the candle light.
MR STRYDOM: Now the place where you were when the attacker came into the house, what was the situation about the light in that room?
MS M MOLETE: I was not sitting I was still in the bath then.
MR STRYDOM: Yes but in the place you were in the bath then, what did you have a candle there or a paraffin lamp or any light?
MS M MOLETE: It was candlelight.
MR STRYDOM: When you were attacked were you still in that same room or bathroom with the candlelight?
MS M MOLETE: When they hit at the door I went out of the bath and put on some clothes and went out of that room.
MR STRYDOM: Yes. Did you go to the room which will take you - with the door that will take you outside? The front room?
MS M MOLETE: They were already inside then. After they had taken my husband I tried to protect Mita. His head was facing the wardrobe and these people were busy smashing the wardrobe so I was trying to protect Mita.
MR STRYDOM: What I want to establish is this, the light in the room that you were when you were attacked?
CHAIRPERSON: When you left the bathroom where did you go to?
MS M MOLETE: I was trying to take Mita to another room then I met these people who were attacking.
CHAIRPERSON: Where was this?
MS M MOLETE: It was just next to the door leading to the kitchen.
CHAIRPERSON: So from the bathroom did you go to the kitchen?
MS M MOLETE: It is inside the shack, there are only two and a half rooms. I was from a bedroom and then from the bedroom there is a door leading to the kitchen and there is another door that is leading to the small room so I was preparing myself to go to the small room to go and take the child.
CHAIRPERSON: This house, how many rooms does it have?
MS M MOLETE: There's one bedroom, a kitchen and a small room that was used like a storeroom.
CHAIRPERSON: Right and you were taking a bath in the bedroom?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: The bedroom door, does that open into the kitchen?
MS M MOLETE: Yes from the bedroom the door is leading to the kitchen.
CHAIRPERSON: Right and then to go to the small room which is used as a storeroom?
MS M MOLETE: Each door is also leading to the kitchen.
CHAIRPERSON: So you cannot access this small room from the bedroom?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, very well. When you heard the sound of the attack you left the bedroom?
MS M MOLETE: I was just peeping through a small hole and then I called Florence to come and see. I showed her that people were attacking on the neighbourhood and at that time they were already smashing the shack.
CHAIRPERSON: And where were you at the time?
MS M MOLETE: I was still in the bedroom, that is when I was trying to protect Mita.
CHAIRPERSON: And was Mita in the bedroom already?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Thank you Chairperson.
So when you were attacked were you attacked in the bedroom then?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Now at the stage when you were attacked what was the situation with the light in the bedroom?
MS M MOLETE: When they entered and started attacking there was also more light, they had already smashed the window. When they took out my husband all the candles fell down but there was still more light in the house, we could see.
CHAIRPERSON: I'm not with you ma'am. Will you just, you know, speak slowly and then just take it step by step, okay? Now what counsel wants to find out is when they entered the bedroom, this is where you were, was the candle still on?
MS M MOLETE: Yes it was still on but it fell down.
CHAIRPERSON: Was it still burning?
MS M MOLETE: No it fell down and went off.
CHAIRPERSON: It went out as they entered the bedroom?
MS M MOLETE: When it fell down and then my husband tried to wake up. I was also trying to protect the child and when it fell down it went off.
CHAIRPERSON: And were they dragging your husband out of the room?
MS M MOLETE: They hurt him first and dragged him out of the bedroom. They had already smashed the shack from the eastern side of the shack and dragged him out of the bedroom. They had already smashed the shack from the east, from the eastern side of the shack.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes?
MR STRYDOM: So to conclude from all this at the time you were attacked there was no light except for what you say moonlight?
MS M MOLETE: There was still light in the kitchen, so there was light from the kitchen through the door leading to the kitchen and also the moonlight and the Apollo light from outside so we could see because they had already smashed the door and the window so it was easy for us to see inside.
MR STRYDOM: What source of light was in the kitchen?
MS M MOLETE: The paraffin lamp was still on in the kitchen.
MR STRYDOM: That paraffin lamp, did it still stay on through the attack?
MS M MOLETE: Yes it was still on.
ADV SIGODI: Sorry, the question was did that paraffin lamp still stay on after the attack?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: We'll take the adjournment ...(indistinct)
MR STRYDOM: Thank you Chairperson.
How many windows did this shack have in the bedroom?
MS M MOLETE: There was only one window in the bedroom.
MR STRYDOM: That window, I just want to know the direction, if you looked out of the window would you have looked down to Mashweshwe Street or towards Boipatong or towards the factories. If you looked out of that window?
MS M MOLETE: It was facing in the direction of the Apollo that is between Majola and Barula Street.
MR STRYDOM: The attackers that first came in and hacked your husband, can you give any description of those people?
MS M MOLETE: No unfortunately I won't be able to do so.
MR STRYDOM: Why not?
MS M MOLETE: We were trying to hide, I was trying to protect my child because I saw these people attacking my husband so when they smashed at the window it was on the side where my child was and they smashed at that wardrobe so I was trying to protect my child.
CHAIRPERSON: In relation to the window that was smashed where was your child?
MS M MOLETE: It was just from this machine what I've just pointed to where Advocate Sigodi is sitting, that's where the child was in relation to the window.
MR STRYDOM: Now the windows, did they have curtains or the window, sorry, the window in the bedroom, you referred to one window, did it have a curtain?
MS M MOLETE: Yes it had curtains.
MR STRYDOM: Were they drawn?
MS M MOLETE: The curtain was closed.
MR STRYDOM: So that must have prevented the light from coming in to some extent, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: Why not?
MS M MOLETE: Because it was only lace it could not prevent the light from coming in.
MR STRYDOM: When these window panes were broken, what happened to the curtains including the lace curtains, sorry.
MS M MOLETE: They removed that curtain and threw in the stones while they were shouting and telling us to remove our weapons.
MR STRYDOM: Now after the candle in the bedroom fell over and died down, it must have been pretty dark in that room, isn't it so?
MS M MOLETE: No it is not so, in the shack whenever you touch something everything falls down, so now because they threw in stones, so almost everything fell down and then they entered from where they smashed the shack. A shack is not like a well built house so it was easy for the curtain to fall as well.
MR STRYDOM: How many people would you say entered that shack and started hacking your husband and injuring Florence and then dragging your husband out?
MS M MOLETE: Florence was in the kitchen. In the bedroom where I was there were three people who came to attack my husband and then from there I was busy trying to protect the child if I could not see other people. I only saw those three people.
MR STRYDOM: And the person that then started to attack you, was he one of the three or was it a fourth person?
MS M MOLETE: He was the fourth.
MR STRYDOM: Did you see how he entered the house or the shack?
MS M MOLETE: I've already stated that I was trying to remove the child to another room so he entered from the kitchen.
MR STRYDOM: Now at what stage did you see that he's got a white area, uncovered area close to his eyes?
MS M MOLETE: I have already stated that there moonlight and Apollo light. The door had already fallen and we could see and also the paraffin lamp was still on in the kitchen so we could see clearly.
MR STRYDOM: But when did you see it, when he started to attack you or before he attacked you or when?
MS M MOLETE: The time when he was trying to hack me and when I was holding his hand and I was holding the child on the other side and then he stabbed me with that sharp object and also on the eye so when I tried to turn around, that's when he hacked the baby.
MR STRYDOM: You made mention of a door that fell down, was that the kitchen door between the kitchen or bedroom or which door?
MS M MOLETE: Both doors fell. The first one that fell is the kitchen door that is leading to the outside and the door between the kitchen and the bedroom and in this small room there was no ...(indistinct) it was only lace and there is no one that entered into that small room.
MR STRYDOM: Could you see the attacker's hands? Well your attacker?
MS M MOLETE: He had hand gloves, I only saw his face. He only had that balaclava but I could see his nose and the eyes and he was just near me. He was fighting me and I could see him clearly while I was holding the baby.
MR STRYDOM: Do you remember the colour of his eyes?
MS M MOLETE: He had blue eyes.
MR STRYDOM: Do you know what he was wearing?
MS M MOLETE: He put on a Balaclava but I could see his nose and the eyes and it was clear that he was white. In his hand he had hand gloves.
MR STRYDOM: Now apart from that can you give a description maybe just the colour of the rest of his clothing?
MS M MOLETE: No I cannot.
MR STRYDOM: I must put it to you that under the circumstances of an attack like this you must have been - well I take it that you must have been very scared. Do you say that you still managed to look him in the eye to see the colour of his eyes?
MS M MOLETE: Yes that's true, he was just next to me, I was trying to protect the child, I was looking at him, I was not fighting, he was fighting, I was just holding the baby. I was also surprised.
MR STRYDOM: Did you speak to him at all?
MS M MOLETE: No I did not.
MR STRYDOM: Do you know what the colour of the Balaclava was?
MS M MOLETE: No I don't remember.
MR STRYDOM: You see the reason why I'm asking these questions ...(intervention)
LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE: I must just place on record Chairman that the question was do you know what the colour of the Balaclava was, the answer that was interpreted is "don't remember" and I don't think that was what the answer was from her, the answer was "no".
MS M MOLETE: I said no, I don't know.
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, I see it is half past, would this be a convenient time?
CHAIRPERSON: We'll take a break now and come back at 12 o'clock.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
ON RESUMPTION
CHAIRPERSON: Ms Molete, may I remind you that you're still under oath?
MIRIAM MOLETE: (s.u.o.)
CHAIRPERSON: We will take the lunch adjournment at quarter past 1. Yes Mr Strydom?
MR STRYDOM: (continues) Now after the man which you discovered was a White man attacked you, did he leave the shack again?
MS M MOLETE: Yes he left the shack.
MR STRYDOM: Could you see in which direction he went?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: Apart from that White person, did you see any White persons thereafter?
MS M MOLETE: The other two were standing at the door.
MR STRYDOM: Is that the door giving entrance into the house?
MS M MOLETE: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: When was the first time for you to see them?
MS M MOLETE: When I threw myself on the ground. When I lifted up my head I saw them at the door.
MR STRYDOM: How did you see that they were White?
MS M MOLETE: They did not put on Balaclavas. They wore camouflage clothes and caps.
MR STRYDOM: Did they have any weapons with them?
MS M MOLETE: They had guns with them.
MR STRYDOM: When you were on the ground or on the floor and you saw these people, what were they doing?
MS M MOLETE: They were just standing there looking at the house, the inside.
MR STRYDOM: Did they say anything?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: At what stage did they move on or leave the house?
MS M MOLETE: After they shouted uSotho they left.
CHAIRPERSON: After who shouted USotho?
MS M MOLETE: It was from outside, there were many people who shouted USotho outside.
MR STRYDOM: Apart from stating that they were White and they wore this camouflage clothing and a cap, can you give any further description of these two people?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: In which room were you lying on the floor when you saw them?
MS M MOLETE: I was at the door leading to the kitchen from the bedroom that is straight from the door that is leading outside.
MR LAX: Sorry, could you please repeat that please, there was a bit of interference from the back, I couldn't hear you properly?
MS M MOLETE: I was next to the door leading to the kitchen from the bedroom. They were standing at the door leading to the shack from the outside.
MR STRYDOM: When you saw them or at the stage you saw them had the other, the person that attacked you left already?
MS M MOLETE: He left when he threw myself on the ground, that is when he heard people shouting USotho from outside and they all left.
MR STRYDOM: When they left did you remain on the ground for some time?
MS M MOLETE: No I stood up.
MR STRYDOM: After you stood up did you see these people again which were standing in the door?
MS M MOLETE: After they heard people shouting USotho, they left.
CHAIRPERSON: What you're being asked is, you threw yourself onto the ground?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: When you stood up again were these people still there?
MS M MOLETE: No they had already left.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. These are now the two men who were at the door and one who had attacked you?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: How many attackers or how many people did you see in the vicinity of your shack? We know now of the people that came in initially, the three people, we know of the person that attacked you and the other two that stood in the door, apart from those did you see other attackers?
MS M MOLETE: There were many people outside.
MR STRYDOM: The other people outside can you give any description of what they were wearing?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: Didn't you see headbands?
MS M MOLETE: I saw them the first time when I was peeping through the window while they were still smashing the windows next door, that's when I saw them. They had red headbands and others had white headbands.
MR STRYDOM: But when you came outside after the attack, did you still see many people in that vicinity of the shacks and of your shack?
MS M MOLETE: They were not far away from our shack, they were being followed by a Hippo in the direction of the firms.
MR STRYDOM: So when you got out of the shack, the people had already left and there was a Hippo in between you and them, is that what you're saying?
MS M MOLETE: I was behind the shack, they were at a distance from the shack.
MR STRYDOM: If you look at Exhibit J and bearing in mind where you indicated where your shack was can you give an indication where you saw this Koyoco and you just mentioned, you said Hippo?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Can you just point out more or less that we can establish the position?
MS M MOLETE: I don't understand this because I cannot see clearly. They were moving along Bakwena Street, I was standing behind the shack.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, now if you accept that at the top of this map you'll find the factories, you see the top street running on this map is Amatola so beyond Amatola you'll find the factories and you remember where you pointed out the position of your shack, now can you in relation to your shack and the factories if Bakwena Street is shown to you, point out where in Bakwena Street did you see the Koyoco or the Hippo?
MS M MOLETE: We were moving in the direction of the firm in Bakwena Street but at the moment there are taps and a tree there, it's no longer like it was before, that's where I saw that Hippo because other people had left that place so I can no longer remember how the place is now.
MR STRYDOM: Do you know where the church is at the end of Batswana Street?
MS M MOLETE: Are you referring to AME Church? Yes I know it.
MR STRYDOM: I'm referring to the church that's indicated there at the end of Batswana Street. Can you just point that out?
MR BERGER: I think it is the AME Church you're referring to.
MR STRYDOM: Now that Hippo was it close to that church or where?
MS M MOLETE: No that place is far from our shack so we are unable to see when you are at my shack.
CHAIRPERSON: Is the AME Church far from the shack in which you were?
MS M MOLETE: It is far. When I look at this map there was a caravan there before.
MR STRYDOM: But looking now at the map, can you give an indication where you saw the Koyoco in relation to your position?
MS M MOLETE: I was at number 17 behind the shack and that Koyoco was next to the place where there was a caravan. It was moving slow and there were people behind it moving in the direction of the firms.
MR STRYDOM: Yes I understand that but do you see Bapedi Street and do you see Batswana Street? In between these streets, along street block is formed. Now I want to know if you can indicate where you saw the Hippo?
CHAIRPERSON: Didn't she say she saw the Hippo near the caravan?
MR STRYDOM: She said that but I'm not sure where the caravan is Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Is it not indicated on the map?
MR STRYDOM: No Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes I think it's opposite house 133 I think it is. Is it Bakwena Street?
MR STRYDOM: I'll find it here.
MR BERGER: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: What I want to put to you, in that area you won't find any Apollo lights, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Now from your position behind your shack to that position where you say the Hippo was, how was it able for you to see that vehicle?
MS M MOLETE: I said this Apollo light in Slovo Park and there was also moonlight so we were able to see everything.
MR STRYDOM: The lights of this vehicle was it on or off?
MS M MOLETE: Yes they were in front of this vehicle and it was moving slowly and the Apollo lights were also on. You could see that there were people in front of this Hippo although you could not see who they were.
MR STRYDOM: Apart from the front lights could you see any other lights on this vehicle?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: So you did not see the tail lights which normally will be red, of this vehicle?
MS M MOLETE: I could not see them.
MR STRYDOM: Can you give any explanation why you did not see the tail lights of this vehicle?
MS M MOLETE: I said I only saw the front lights. When you are at Slovo at night you could see the people in front of this vehicle. You could see that people are moving in front of it because it's headlights were on.
MR STRYDOM: I want to put to you that the applicants I appear for said they were in Boipatong that night, well the majority of them were in Boipatong that night and whilst they were in Boipatong and some of them in Slovo Park, they never saw any police or military vehicle close to them but you still maintain that you saw people and this vehicle?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I still maintain.
MR STRYDOM: And they have also testified already that when they attacked houses there was no Whites accompanying them?
MS M MOLETE: They were there.
MR STRYDOM: What I want to put to you is that either you are making a mistake about these people you thought to be Whites or you're not telling the truth?
MS M MOLETE: Mr Strydom, may I ask you a question? If I'm allowed to ask you a question, I don't know whether I'm allowed?
CHAIRPERSON: No, you're not allowed ma'am.
MR STRYDOM: After the attack ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: You can just answer the question, what he's putting to you is that you are either making a mistake when you say that you saw this motor vehicle and Whites or you are not telling the truth. So what's your comment on that?
MS M MOLETE: I am telling the truth.
MR STRYDOM: How soon after the attack did you make a statement in regard to what you saw that night to the police or to any other institution?
MS M MOLETE: I only remember one statement when we were first by the police and they took us to the Civic Centre at the court. That is the only statement that I remember. I was sick at that time, I did not want to make that statement but they told us they just want to help us.
MR STRYDOM: I just want to get clarity. Now was that the statement taken at the Civic Centre you didn't want to make but you eventually made?
MS M MOLETE: I only remember that statement that I made at the Civic Centre.
MR STRYDOM: Is that the Boipatong Civic Centre?
MS M MOLETE: There is no Civic Centre in Boipatong, it's here in town.
MR STRYDOM: In Vanderbijlpark?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: And the person who took the statement, was that a policeman or a representative of some other institution?
MS M MOLETE: They were policemen, they were White and Black policemen.
MR STRYDOM: Why didn't you want to make a statement?
MS M MOLETE: I was angry at that time and I was also sick after the attack, that is why I didn't want to make the statement.
MR STRYDOM: I know it's very difficult to say but can you remember how long after the incident did you make this statement, was it still the same year or year thereafter?
MS M MOLETE: It could be four to five months if I'm not mistaken.
CHAIRPERSON: Four to five months after the attack?
MS M MOLETE: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON: And did you tell the person who took down the statement about the White man that injured and attacked you?
MS M MOLETE: I told him everything.
MR STRYDOM: Including the Hippo you saw?
MS M MOLETE: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON: What was the second question?
MR STRYDOM: Including the Hippo she saw.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes and the answer was?
MR STRYDOM: Yes. Chairperson, I've got the exhibits ready.
CHAIRPERSON: Now would there be any objection if at some point somebody makes available to us speaking for myself, the photographs of these various motor vehicles, the suitcase, the microwave, the Koyoco?
CHAIRPERSON: Chairperson, we would have no objection, in fact we've been speaking amongst ourselves and we thought that Mr da Silva might be the correct person to bring along a chart of these different vehicles or perhaps the police, I don't know. But we would welcome that, definitely.
MR DA SILVA: Mr Chairman, I'll try and make enquiries and I'll try and make a chart or documents available.
CHAIRPERSON: This one has a sense of - you don't have to worry about Nyala, I know Nyala.
MR DA SILVA: I'll try and do them Mr Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Will there be any objection on this side?
MR STRYDOM: Not from our side Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Yes, okay very well. Alright then.
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson I just handed out a document, unfortunately it's not paginated but it's got an index and I think we'll endeavour to paginate it during the course of the day but I'll try to point to places without paginating at this stage. This document contains statements of witnesses my learned friend intends calling.
CHAIRPERSON: Very well shall we mark this bundle of statements by various witnesses who might be called by and on behalf of the victims GG? Yes very well?
MR STRYDOM: Thank you Chairperson. The first statement I'm going to refer to is the statement of this witness which is the middle of this bundle, Miriam Molete. There are three statements made by this witness in this bundle. On the right hand corner of this first statement, you'll find the numbering 150 to ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Does the first one follow the one by Petrus Manyika?
MR STRYDOM: Yes Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, you'll see that some of these statements have got lines through them, that is how we found them in the docket, I think these witnesses weren't called, it's just sort of a - I think it's marked to indicate that they were not going to be called, that's why there's a line through some of these statements on the first page.
MR LAX: Mr Strydom, is this a three page statement, the first one you're referring to?
MR STRYDOM: Yes Mr Lax.
MR LAX: Because my second page is cut off unfortunately.
MR STRYDOM: Yes unfortunately all of us, we will have to find the original again, I only realised this this morning that we've got a problem with that one but we'll try to get the original again out from the docket and then replace it in due course.
MR LAX: Can I just ask something, is the next one something like 1607 or something to that effect? 1609, it's cut off at the top.
MR STRYDOM: Ja, that's the first one I have Miriam Molete in the bundle.
MR LAX: I've got two so one comes after?
MR STRYDOM: Ja. I want to...(intervention)
MR BERGER: If I could just - Ms Molete has indicated some problems with some of the statement so if you could just confirm which ones are and which ones are not?
MR STRYDOM: Let's start with the - I've got three statements here, the first one I want to refer you to is the statement that's only on one page which has got I think 1609 at the top.
It's a one pager.
MR BERGER: It doesn't appear 1609 at the top I think it's been just cut off.
MR STRYDOM: Ja but it's a on page hand-written statement.
MR BERGER: Perhaps if you could go by date of statement at the bottom?
MR STRYDOM: Ja, that statement is dated the 20th April 1993. Do you see a signature on that page? Is that your signature?
MS M MOLETE: Yes it's mine.
MR STRYDOM: Now if you turn to the next page that's a further statement that's got 1502 on the top and it has three pages, it's a statement taken according to this statement on the 25th March 1993. You see although but vaguely, but you see the your signature on that page as well, the third page?
MS M MOLETE: It is not clear.
CHAIRPERSON: I think it's the one that's below paragraph 6?
MR STRYDOM: That is so Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Ms Molete, can you see that, it's very faint but can you make out that signature?
MS M MOLETE: I cannot see the first letter but the surname is mine.
CHAIRPERSON: But can you tell whether that is your signature or not? Mr Berger, will you make sure that she's looking at the same? We're looking at paragraph 6, there's a very faint signature below that.
MR BERGER: Yes, she's looking at that very one.
CHAIRPERSON: Now can you tell us what appears there is your signature or not?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I can see the surname clearly but the name is not clear, yes it's mine, where there is written Molete is my surname.
CHAIRPERSON: But is it your signature? If you can't say let us know.
MS M MOLETE: It is because it's not clear but on the first page yes it's mine.
MR BERGER: The witness is talking about the first statement.
MS M MOLETE: Yes indeed.
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, we have the original available, it's just my attorney, I see he's not in the hearing now, we'll show her in due course the original.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay very well.
MR STRYDOM: Then I want you to have a look at a further statement which is a typed statement dated the 9th November 1993. On the second page of that statement just underneath paragraph 10 there's also a signature, would that also be your signature?
MS M MOLETE: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON: Wait a minute. You see after the statement which is dated the 25th March 1993, alright, what follows here is yet another statement dated the 20th April 1993?
MR STRYDOM: Yes Chairperson, that's unfortunately the same statement has been included twice so that's the first statement and the third one would be the same.
CHAIRPERSON: Perhaps the first statement should not have been included as I see it they were intended to follow the date order.
MR STRYDOM: Ja so I will ask the first statement be deleted from the bundle.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright and then this statement is then followed by the typed one?
MR STRYDOM: That is correct, Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright. Okay.
MR LAX: Sorry what was your answer? Did you ask her about her signature on the top one?
MR STRYDOM: Yes and I think she confirmed that, let's make sure?
MR LAX: Just to get the answer clearly?
MR STRYDOM: Do you confirm your signature on the last typed statement?
MS M MOLETE: Yes that's mine.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: Now before I cross-examine you in more detail, I just want to put it to you that in neither of these three statements do you make mention of the two people which you said were Whites with the camouflage clothing. Can you give any explanation for that?
MS M MOLETE: I don't know whether they have written that here but I told them everything that happened even though I was sick but I could remember everything. Even now I still remember everything but I did not read the statement.
MR STRYDOM: And I also want to put to you that the Hippo you saw and the people walking with the Hippo does not appear in any one of these statements?
MS M MOLETE: It is so, I don't know what is written here because I did not read the statements.
MR STRYDOM: Why did you sign the statements?
MS M MOLETE: I see another statement which indicated that it was made in Vereeniging, I have never been to Vereeniging, that is the one that is typed. I have never made a statement in Vereeniging.
MR STRYDOM: Why do you say that the typed statement was taken in Vereeniging?
MR BERGER: Ms Molete is pointing to the address of the Commissioner of Oaths.
MR STRYDOM: Oh, just the address. Have you ever made a statement in Pretoria?
MS M MOLETE: Those are the same statements that we made in Vanderbijlpark that were sent to Pretoria.
MR STRYDOM: Were you taken to Pretoria at any stage in connection with this matter?
MS M MOLETE: I went there twice except when we were called by Mr Steenkamp. I went there twice and then thereafter we were called by Mr Steenkamp.
MR STRYDOM: Now you referred to Mr Steenkamp. Now he was the investigating officer of the criminal trial. Did he take a statement of you in Pretoria?
MS M MOLETE: I made a mistake, we made a statement in Vanderbijlpark to Mr Steenkamp so the other times we went to Pretoria, we went there twice, when we were called by you, Mr Strydom.
MR STRYDOM: You went there twice?
MS M MOLETE: So when I included that day I went there three times.
MR STRYDOM: You never testified at the criminal hearing is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: No. We were just asked questions.
MR STRYDOM: Did you at any stage refuse to testify at the criminal hearing?
MS M MOLETE: No, I never refused.
MR STRYDOM: According to the third statement, the typed statement, it was taken on the 9th November 1993 at Pretoria. Do you deny that?
MR LAX: With the greatest of respect, Mr Strydom, it was signed on that day before this person at Pretoria. It wasn't taken there, that's not clear from the statement anyway.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, yes, as you please.
It was signed, yes it was signed. Do you deny signing that statement in Pretoria?
MS M MOLETE: I do not deny that I signed the statement but I say that the statement we made to Mr Steenkamp we were in Vanderbijlpark so when we were taken to Pretoria we were just asked questions.
MR STRYDOM: I want to refer you to the statement that according to the statement, that's the second statement, well the three page statement which was taken on the 25th March 1993 at Vanderbijlpark. The three page statement.
CHAIRPERSON: Why don't we, you know to avoid any confusion, why don't we refer to the statement if it's the 25th March to be the first statement and then the statement dated 20th April 1993 the second statement and the typed written statement the third statement? Did you get that Mr Berger?
MR BERGER: Yes I did.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
MR STRYDOM: Now in this statement you said as follows ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Which statement?
MR STRYDOM: The first statement.
CHAIRPERSON: The first statement, 25th March?
MR STRYDOM: That is correct, on the first page thereof.
CHAIRPERSON: Right.
MR STRYDOM: I'm going to read from more or less the middle of the page.
"At that time I saw the window being broken and the door was broken. These people entered into the house and two of them assaulted my sister Florence with sticks. I saw another people pulling my husband out of the house. I then tried to remove my daughter from the room. Then before I could remove the child a member of that group started to chop the child with a panga."
Now the question I want to ask you, the person that attacked you and the child, was he one of the people that came into the house initially?
MS M MOLETE: I said he was a White man, he entered alone from the kitchen door.
MR STRYDOM: So he was not one of the people who came in initially with the three people you testified about now?
MS M MOLETE: He was not one of them because those other people did not use the door to enter, they entered from the opening where they have smashed the shack.
MR STRYDOM: Now I also asked you today if you can give any description as to the clothing of the person that attacked you.
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Strydom, the part that you began reading, just read that sentence again?
MR STRYDOM: "At that time I saw the window being broken and the door was broken. These people entered into the house and two of them" ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Well is that "these" I can't see, it looks to me like a t-h?
MR STRYDOM: It is three, ja. It looks like three to me as well.
"Three people entered into the house and two of them assaulted my sister, Florence, with sticks."
CHAIRPERSON: Right. Okay?
MR STRYDOM: And then later on it said:
"Then before I could move the child a member of that group started to chop the child with a panga."
MR LAX: Just to put it in context, the next sentence is quite crucial it would seem because it says:
"I saw other people pulling my husband out of the house"
So it seems there were quite a lot of people in the house according to what this statement says but obviously you will clear that up?
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, what does the witness say in regard to the first sentence that you've read? Just reconfirm that, the first sentence?
MR STRYDOM: May I just put that question again? I've read to you that sentence. Do you confirm the correctness of that sentence? Just for clarity I'll just repeat it quickly.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, let me just explain to her.
Ms Molete, what counsel is going to do now, he's going to read to you what appears in a statement dated 25th March 1993, do you understand that?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
CHAIRPERSON: Remember, this is the statement where in regard to which you've told us that you cannot say whether that is your signature because it is not clear, do you understand that?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, now as he reads the sentence by sentence of the statement, would you tell us whether you confirm that or deny the statement that's been read to you? Do you understand that?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
MR STRYDOM: Thank you.
The first sentence I want to put to you:
"At that time I saw the window being broken and the door was broken. Three people entered into the house and two of them assaulted my sister, Florence, with sticks."
Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: Well I did not see happening to Florence, I may not agree with that.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, right, the only portion of that statement that you confirm is that you saw three people entering the house?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay.
MR STRYDOM: Do you know with what weapon your sister Florence was assaulted?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: And then the statement continues to read as follows:
"I saw other people pulling my husband out of the house"
Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: And then it continues:
"I then tried to remove my daughter from the room. Then before I could remove the child the member of that group started to chop the child with a panga."
Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: No, that is not correct there.
MR STRYDOM: Which portion is incorrect or is everything incorrect?
MS M MOLETE: Everything that you have just read is incorrect.
CHAIRPERSON: What he has read to you is:
"I then tried to remove my daughter from the room and before I could remove the child a member of that group started to chop the child with a panga."
You say that whole statement is incorrect?
MS M MOLETE: It is not correct because I did not say it the way it is written there.
MR STRYDOM: When you made this statement an interpreter was used, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: I made this statement to a Black person, he was talking to Mr Steenkamp. That person spoke Sepedi.
MR STRYDOM: Did you understand him?
MS M MOLETE: Somewhere I was struggling, I even requested him to used seTswana, maybe I would understand him.
MR STRYDOM: Do you remember if his name was Lucky Samuel Kekana?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I do remember.
MR STRYDOM: But at the end of your statement you were happy enough with the statement to sign the statement is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: Can you please repeat the question Sir?
MR STRYDOM: You've signed the statement and - let me put it the other way around, were you prepared to sign a statement you're not happy with?
MS M MOLETE: I have already explain the conditions at that time when we were making these statements.
MR STRYDOM: The question is still, would you sign a statement you're not happy with?
MS M MOLETE: If they had read the statement to me I would have told them that I'm not satisfied about this statement because after they have asked me questions they told me just to sign, that is why I signed the statement.
MR STRYDOM: I'm going to continue reading the statement and want your comments?
"I then tried to intervene. He chopped my left thumb"
and it goes on:
"he stabbed me with a self made"
I think it should read:
"sharp instrument"
which is mentioned here to be a "Injumnetjo" is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: I never tried to intervene, I was just holding the baby, this was a small baby.
MR STRYDOM: But this portion of the statement is this correct?
MS M MOLETE: It's not correct where you say I tried to intervene.
MR STRYDOM: But didn't you try to protect the child?
MS M MOLETE: I tried to use my hand to protect my child, I was not fighting back. This person was not fighting me, he was just hacking randomly.
MR STRYDOM: It goes on:
"When I looked deeply at him I could see that" ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: There's a portion here which says "he chopped my left thumb".
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: I then I've read you that portion:
"When I looked deeply at him I could see that his eyes are blue and his nose was pink. I could not see his hands because he was wearing a polo neck and black hand gloves."
Is that portion correct?
MS M MOLETE: It is correct.
MR STRYDOM: I'll ask you today if you can give any description of your attackers clothing and you said no you can't. In your statement you said that he was wearing a polo neck. Why did you state it like that?
MS M MOLETE: You asked me what he had in his hands and he said he had hand gloves and you asked me about the gloves. Then I said he wore a Balaclava and that's all. You didn't ask me about the colour.
MR STRYDOM: No I asked you about any description of any other part of his clothing and you said no you can't give me any further description but in your statement you made mention of a polo neck. Can you give any explanation?
MS M MOLETE: Can you please repeat that question again?
MR STRYDOM: What's been put to you is that when you're been asked what clothing the person who attacked you was wearing your answer was you can't say.
MR LAX: Chair, just if I may? The question was can you remember what the colour of the rest of his clothing was and your answer to that was no, I cannot, but that's how the question was framed, it's wasn't framed on what other clothes he was wearing.
CHAIRPERSON: A description of other clothes.
MR LAX: It was the colour of the other clothes that was asked, or description. Fair enough.
CHAIRPERSON: You were asked whether could you give a description of any other clothing that he was wearing and the answer was no, you are unable to do so. Do you understand that?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
CHAIRPERSON: In your statement to the police you told them that this person was wearing a polo neck and black hand gloves. I think all that counsel wants to find out from you is when he asked you about what is the description of the other clothing that this person was wearing, why didn't you tell him that this person wore a polo neck?
MS M MOLETE: I heard him asking me about the gloves and the Balaclava so when he referred to other clothes and then I said I cannot say.
MR STRYDOM: But the question is, do you remember now that he wore a polo neck or not?
MS M MOLETE: I don't remember, it's a long time ago and I already said that when I made the statement I was sick. It's now seven years since this took place.
CHAIRPERSON: Is the position that as you're sitting there you cannot remember whether this man was wearing a polo neck?
MS M MOLETE: It can be true because I could only see his nose and the eyes.
CHAIRPERSON: But do you remember now that this man was wearing a polo neck?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I remember now.
MR STRYDOM: Do you know what the colour of the polo neck was?
MS M MOLETE: All his clothes were dark.
MR STRYDOM: At a certain stage, someone, one of the attackers said "take out your firearms" or words to that effect. When was that, before the attack on you or after the attack on you?
MS M MOLETE: That is before the attack.
MR STRYDOM: If you can just bear with me for a moment, I'm just getting the original here to make it easier? Unfortunately, the original is not forthcoming.
I want to continue. The statement:
"I realised that he is a White person although he had a Balaclava"
is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: I don't understand now?
MR STRYDOM: I'm reading your statement, I just want to confirm if it's correct or not. I assume the first word is "I":
"I realised that he is a White person"
MR BERGER: Perhaps if you could just put it in read before, put it in context again.
MR STRYDOM: Ja, well I've read that portion wearing a polo neck and black hand gloves.
"I realised that he is a White person even though he had a Balaclava."
Is that portion correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: During this whole pandemonium I saw other members of the group at the window saying "Kepani isimbamo zeno" - take out your firearm. Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: According to this statement, if one looks at the sequence this was said after the attack on yourself, is the sequence correct?
CHAIRPERSON: I'm not sure whether that apparent because one gets the impression as I read the sentence, it would appear that - well I can't see what the word is there but it would appear that during this whole pandemonium, "I saw other members of the group at the window."
MR STRYDOM: Yes I think I'm going to leave that because maybe that's a bit too much splitting hairs. I going to leave that, I withdraw that question.
CHAIRPERSON: But also here, is there a paragraph 3 here? I can't see the paragraph 3?
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, I've got a copy now that's not cut off. I'll make copies during the ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Is there a paragraph 3?
MR STRYDOM: No, it's not paragraph 3, just goes from paragraph 2 unless it's at the bottom here cut off here but there's no indication of paragraph 3, it just carries on.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
MR STRYDOM: Paragraph 4 starts ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: According to my watch it's approximately 2 minutes to now, I'm sure whether my watch is ...(intervention)
MR STRYDOM: Ja, it's 14.41 so it's basically quarter past. Will this be convenient because I'm getting onto the next point now, the next paragraph.
CHAIRPERSON: And you're going to be fairly long on the last part?
MR STRYDOM: Well I'm carrying on with the statement so the whole statement will take some time but not too long hopefully.
CHAIRPERSON: I mean the aspect that you want?
MR STRYDOM: No, I'm going to leave the previous aspect, I'm going on to the new one now.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. We will take the lunch adjournment now, we'll come back at 2 o'clock.
MR LOWIES: Mr Chairman, before we do so could I request indication from you as to until what time we're going to sit, I want to arrange a consultation later this evening. If you could just give us an indication regarding that please?
CHAIRPERSON: Alright, okay. If we come back at 2 o'clock, we should be able to take a break round about 3 o'clock with about 15 minutes break and then perhaps go on until about you know, 5? Yes.
MR LOWIES: We're in your hands.
CHAIRPERSON: I think there's a general consensus that we can go toward 5.
MR STRYDOM: If we have to Chair.
CHAIRPERSON: We'll take a break at about 3 o'clock for about 15 to 20 minutes.
MR LOWIES: Thank you Chairman, I'm indebted to you.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes alright.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
ON RESUMPTION
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, Ms Molete, may I remind you that you're still under oath?
MIRIAM MOLETE: (s.u.o.) Yes, thank you.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR STRYDOM: (continues) Thank you Chairperson.
I'm going to continue reading certain portions of your statement and want your comment please?
"I then grabbed my child and I told them that I would rather die than my child. I fell onto the ground. They then left the shack saying "USotho, USotho."
MS M MOLETE: Yes that is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Then thereafter you say:
"After their departure we ran towards the dumping site for safety."
Is that how it happened?
MS M MOLETE: I don't understand that one, can you repeat the question again?
MR STRYDOM: You said that you fell to the ground, then the people left, they said "USotho, USotho" and then you went to the dumping site, is that sequentially correct?
MS M MOLETE: It is not all correct, there are portions that are not correct.
MR STRYDOM: What portion is not correct?
MS M MOLETE: After they had left they shouted their slogan. I tried to apply first aid to my child, then I went outside to look for my husband so that part does not appear on what you have read. Then after this we went to the dumping place.
MR STRYDOM: Is that the only portion that is left out in the sequence of events that night?
MS M MOLETE: Yes that is correct.
MR STRYDOM: What about the two people, the two White people in camouflage clothing that you saw? When was that then?
MS M MOLETE: When I threw myself on the ground I pretended to be dead. When they shouted "USotho" all the people left even this one who was inside the shack left.
MR STRYDOM: What I want to point out to you is that you don't make mention in this statement like in your evidence here before the Committee about these two people in camouflage clothing. Can you give an explanation?
MS M MOLETE: I said that I mentioned that but I don't know why it is not written there.
MR STRYDOM: And even if I asked you now to tell us what happened at the stage when you fell to the ground if there's anything left out and you again did not mention these people in camouflage clothing? Why do you keep on forgetting them?
MS M MOLETE: We had not yet arrived at that question.
MR STRYDOM: But you testified today if I remember correctly in your question in chief, when you fell to the ground you saw these people with the camouflage clothing. So why didn't you mention them when I asked you what happened in sequence at the stage when you fell to the ground?
MS M MOLETE: I heard you asking me whether when after I fell down and left for the dumping place, you asked me to comment on that and I said there is something that is left.
MR STRYDOM: You saw these people with the camouflage clothing before you went to the dumping ground, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: I said when I threw myself on the ground with the baby I saw them standing at the door so when this other man left the other people outside shouted "USotho" and everybody including these two guys left.
CHAIRPERSON: Did you see these two White men before you fell to the ground or after that?
MS M MOLETE: I threw myself on the ground and then when I lifted my head and then I saw these two men standing outside but I could see them, I was inside then.
MR STRYDOM: This dumping site, you must indicate a direction, is the dumping site towards - further east from Slovo Park, that's away from Boipatong township, you can have a look at Exhibit J?
MS M MOLETE: The place is just behind Slovo Park.
MR STRYDOM: Yes but if you say behind is it further away from - let me put it this way, is it Boipatong side or the other side towards the east?
MS M MOLETE: It is behind the Slovo Park shacks.
MR STRYDOM: Is it possible to indicate on Exhibit J where you will find that dump?
MS M MOLETE: I cannot.
MR STRYDOM: Is it off the map towards the right as you will look at it?
MS M MOLETE: I'm unable to see.
MR STRYDOM: Just start as a starting point with your house number 17 or the house you slept in that night, 17. Can you see it?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
MR STRYDOM: Well if you look at your house, this dumping site is that towards the right as you look at it?
MS M MOLETE: Can you repeat again, the question?
MR STRYDOM: Do you see your house, number 17 on the map?
CHAIRPERSON: No, I don't think it's but as I understand her evidence, he pointed out in the area of number 15 I think that's what he ...(indistinct).
MR STRYDOM: Yes, let's just take number 15, the 15 that's marked on the map. Do you see house 15?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
MR STRYDOM: All I want to know, this dumping site, if you must take in relation to that position of that house, where would you find it, towards the right or more towards Bakwena Street and Boipatong?
MS M MOLETE: It's very far, that place is behind the shacks at the back. You move through that passage at number 15 and number 17 and there are also other shacks that you have to pass through before you arrive at that dumping place.
MR STRYDOM: But the question is which direction would you move, would you move towards the right as you look at it on the map? Or do you go to Boipatong side?
MS M MOLETE: It's not in the direction of Boipatong.
CHAIRPERSON: Do you have to move further into Slovo Park?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay.
MR STRYDOM: At what stage did you see the Hippo before you went to the dumping ground or after or on your way there?
MS M MOLETE: Before you enter to the dumping place.
MR STRYDOM: Because in your statement you said that the people left after saying "USotho, USotho" and then you said you went towards the dumping site for safety. So the point I want to make is this important aspect about the Hippo is also not in this statement?
MS M MOLETE: I said after all this I applied first aid to my child and then I went outside to look for my husband and then when I was at the back of my sister's shed I saw this Hippo.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, now on the third page of your statement you said:
"I will not be able to point out any of the suspects because it was dark. I was confused and they were too many."
Is that statement a correct statement?
MS M MOLETE: No, it's not correct.
MR STRYDOM: What's wrong with that portion of the statement?
MS M MOLETE: The portion that is incorrect is where you say I said could not point out those people because it was at night and that portion that reads that I said I was confused I did not say that I could not be able to point them because I was confused. That's not what I said.
MR STRYDOM: Do you remember what you said?
MS M MOLETE: I don't remember.
MR STRYDOM: But if you can't remember what you said how can you remember what you did not say?
MS M MOLETE: I am referring to that portion that you have just read, I don't remember me saying that.
MR STRYDOM: Tell me, during the attack just thereafter, weren't you confused?
MS M MOLETE: After how long?
MR STRYDOM: You know, during the course of that night, during the attack and during the course of that night before the next day weren't you confused?
MS M MOLETE: I don't know because I was at a hospital on a bed.
MR STRYDOM: Yes but before you went to the hospital, were you confused?
MS M MOLETE: We went to the hospital after the attack, we boarded the ambulance so I don't understand how should I answer that question because we were at that dumping place. I was afraid at that stage.
MR STRYDOM: Can you point out any one of the attackers? Say for instance the attackers come in front of you now will you be able to point them out?
MS M MOLETE: I said that man had a Balaclava, I won't be able to point him, it was at night as well.
MR STRYDOM: Yes but some of the other people, attackers, would you be able to point them out?
MS M MOLETE: I was not fighting against many people, it was only one man against my baby.
MR STRYDOM: So this portion is actually correct, I will not be able to point out any of the suspects, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, it's correct.
MR STRYDOM: Now why were you not able to point out any of the suspects or attackers?
MS M MOLETE: I said I was attacked by one person, me and my baby and it was at night, he was a White man, that is why I am unable to point other people.
MR STRYDOM: Yes you are saying it was night and it was dark, isn't it so and you were confused and there were too many, isn't that correct?
MS M MOLETE: I didn't say I was confused and I didn't say there were many, I have already indicated that that portion is incorrect.
CHAIRPERSON: What counsel is putting to you, you've told us that you aren't able to point us to any of the suspects, is that right?
MS M MOLETE: Yes that is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: What he wants to find out from you is the reason for that, not that it was at night and that it was dark.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: And that these people were many?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: And that you were confused?
MS M MOLETE: When this statement was written I was sick, since the attack even today I'm still sick, if that portion refers to that time.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes thank you.
MR STRYDOM: Thank you.
MR STRYDOM: When you made a statement you said you were sick, was that as a result of the attack or was it at that time that you made the statement that you had some ailment?
MS M MOLETE: As a result of the attack.
MR STRYDOM: The statement goes on to read:
"Four cooking pots and my wrist watch as well as my husband's watch were stolen."
Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: "The door wardrobe is also damaged, the total cost can be R2000. Nothing has been recovered."
Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: So it seems to me there was no problem with the interpreter when you told him these things about what was stolen and what was damaged, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, there was no problem.
MR STRYDOM: Now it was indicated to you that this statement was taken on the 25 March 1993. Now subsequent to that you've signed a further statement and it purports to be a statement taken or signed, over that I can't tell you, but on the 9th November 1993.
CHAIRPERSON: Were you able to look at the original to the first statement?
MR STRYDOM: My attorney is looking for the original, what we have has another photocopy which was not cut off but the original is still not with us but I hope to get it soon.
MR LAX: Are you going to give us that uncut page?
MR STRYDOM: I can also ask my attorney to make photostat copies of that. Thank you Chair.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
MR STRYDOM: I want to move onto the I think, Chairperson, it's the second statement, that's the typed one.
MS PRETORIUS: Chairperson, may I just be excused just to see if I can locate the original copy? May I be excused for a couple of minutes, I'll try and look up the original copy.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: Now the date that appears on this statement is November 1993, 9th November 1993. I can put to you that's during the time when the criminal trial was in progress. Do you remember that you went to Pretoria? You already said that you went to Pretoria in connection with the criminal trial at a certain time, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Do you speak Afrikaans, do you understand it?
MS M MOLETE: I don't know.
CHAIRPERSON: Do you understand Afrikaans?
MS M MOLETE: I don't know it well.
MR STRYDOM: When you spoke to the police officer Steenkamp, did you communicate with him in Afrikaans or can't you remember?
MS M MOLETE: I never spoke to Mr Steenkamp. There was a Black guy who was interpreting for Mr Steenkamp.
MR STRYDOM: Now when this statement was then taken during November did you still feel ill about the attack?
MS M MOLETE: I have been ill since the 17th June 1992 till today.
MR STRYDOM: I don't understand what you mean by that, do you mean that therefore you can't give a proper account of what happened during that day of the attack or why do you keep on saying that you are ill?
MR STRYDOM: I became ill thereafter, I had a problem with stress and I've been frequently going to the hospital and I was told that I have heart problems, even today I still have those problems.
MR STRYDOM: I understand that but I just want to find out if that effects your ability to explain to us what happened on the day of the attack or not?
MS M MOLETE: Like this lady who is sitting next to me, they know that I can have fits, I sometimes get fits. That is since this happened to me, like now I don't feel well because now we are recounting what happened on the 17th. I fell during the Truth Commission hearings and I was sent to the hospital.
MR STRYDOM: I will leave it at that. I just want to ask you certain questions about this statement. I'm going to refer to certain portions of paragraph 4. I'm going to translate as I carry on, if I'm incorrect just correct me.
"Two male persons looked into the window and said in Zulu, we are looking for weapons."
Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: I did not say there were two and they never asked for weapons, they said we should take out our guns.
MR STRYDOM: So how many people did you say said that?
MS M MOLETE: On the window I could see three people.
MR STRYDOM: "Whilst I was on my way to speak to the two other males, took off a corrugated iron on the side of the house" or "torn off a piece of corrugated iron on the side of the house and came into the room."
Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is not correct, that is not true.
MR STRYDOM: So what's the untrue part of that?
MS M MOLETE: Everything that you have read is not correct, I never told about corrugated iron.
MR STRYDOM: And that the impression that I gain from this is that there were two people initially and then another two so we're talking about four people. You testified here about three people. Is that the difference between your evidence here and the statement?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, that's the difference because you asked me about the people who were standing at the window, you did not ask me about the people who were removing the corrugated iron.
MR LAX: Did I hear you correctly, did you talk about corrugated iron now being removed?
MS M MOLETE: I was saying what Mr Strydom has said, I never said that they were removing corrugated iron, I said they told us to hand over our weapons.
MR STRYDOM: So at no stage did they remove corrugated iron to gain entry into the house?
MS M MOLETE: I don't know about the people who were standing at the window, I said that there were many people outside so I don't know who removed the corrugated irons.
MR STRYDOM: So corrugated iron was in fact removed is that what you're saying but you don't know by whom?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, hardboards were used to build the shack and they were removed, not corrugated irons.
MR STRYDOM: I'm going to read you a bit lower down.
CHAIRPERSON: Did anyone remove corrugated iron?
MS M MOLETE: They removed those hardboards but I don't know who actually removed those hardboards.
MR STRYDOM: But in your statement to Mr Steenkamp you didn't tell him that someone removed corrugated iron?
MS M MOLETE: I was not talking directly to Mr Steenkamp, I was talking to this policeman who was interpreting for Mr Steenkamp and I mentioned that my sister's shack was not built by corrugated iron but hardboards. All corrugated irons were on top of the shack, they were not used to build the shack.
CHAIRPERSON: The shack that you're talking about in which you were was that your sister's shack?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, that's my sister's shack.
CHAIRPERSON: Florence?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Is that the one whose roof was made out of corrugated iron?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: But you did not tell the police officer, the Black police officer, who was interpreting for you that someone removed the corrugated iron?
MS M MOLETE: I said there is someone who removed those hardboards and they entered from that opening but I cannot say who removed those hardboards because there were many people there.
MR STRYDOM: Did you see the people who removed the hardboard?
CHAIRPERSON: I thought she said she couldn't say who removed it. Is that right?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: I want to move onto another portion of your statement.
"The door between the kitchen and the room was in the meantime being forced open and I want to flee outside with the kid. At that stage the candle that burned in the room died or went out and the lamp which was burning in the kitchen fell and broke and there was no light in the house."
Is that portion of your statement correct?
MS M MOLETE: It's not correct. I said the candle fell in the bedroom but the paraffin lamp in the kitchen was still burning, it was on top of the cupboard in the kitchen.
CHAIRPERSON: And this lamp burned throughout the attack?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: So can you give any explanation why this portion appears in your statement that the lamp fell and broke and there was no light in the house?
MS M MOLETE: Well I don't know.
MR STRYDOM: I want to suggest to you that is what you told the person that took the statement?
MS M MOLETE: I told you that I don't know Afrikaans well and you said it's Mr Steenkamp who wrote that statement. I had an interpreter so I don't know why that appeared on my statement.
MR STRYDOM: The next portion of the statement, just tell me if that's correct?
"In the door between the two rooms a person with a Balaclava over his head, a polo neck jersey and gloves stormed me."
Is that correct? He stormed towards you. "Hy het my afgestorm."
MS M MOLETE: Can you please repeat that question again?
MR STRYDOM: "In the door between the two rooms a person charged me. The person had a Balaclava over his head, a polo neck jersey and gloves."
MS M MOLETE: He was not trying to attack me, he was really attacking me.
MR STRYDOM: I want to put to you is that ...(intervention)
MS M MOLETE: May I have a break? A short break please?
We can go on.
CHAIRPERSON: Do you not want to have a short break?
MS M MOLETE: Yes there was something that was disturbing me.
May I please go outside for a while?
CHAIRPERSON: We will take an adjournment and come back at 10 past 3.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
ON RESUMPTION
MIRIAM MOLETE: (s.u.o.)
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR STRYDOM: (cont)
Thank you Chairperson. Chairperson, in the meantime a better copy of the second page of the first statement was added to all the copies. I also have now available the original statement if I can just show this statement to the witness to identify her signature on the third page.
Do you identify your signature on the last page of that statement?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I can see it.
MR STRYDOM: Thank you Chairperson, will it be necessary to hand in the original?
CHAIRPERSON: Are we talking about the second statement/
MR STRYDOM: Ja, the first statement, the one dated the 25th March 1993 where she testified that she cannot see her signature properly.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: The first statement.
CHAIRPERSON: That's right, the first statement. Okay.
Yes, very well.
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, we'll put the statement back in the police docket, it will be there.
I'm returning now to the second statement, that is the typed statement on the second page, paragraph 7.
MR LAX: It's the third statement.
MR STRYDOM: Third sorry, I must write that.
I'm not going to read the full statement to you but what I want to put to you is that again in this statement no mention is made of the people in camouflage clothing and there's also no mention of the Hippo or the Koyoco which you saw accompanying a group as they were leaving towards the factories. Now do you have any comment why this again does not appear in the statement?
MS M MOLETE: I would not know because this statement has been typed using a typewriter. When this was done I was not there, they might have added to what I said, I'm not sure about that.
MR STRYDOM: Yes but you signed the typed statement?
MS M MOLETE: The statement was hand-written. The typed one I only see now at these hearings.
MR STRYDOM: You see in this typed statement you said that after or thereafter, that's paragraph 7, the second sentence:
"Thereafter I went outside but I couldn't see my husband. I looked around but I couldn't see my husband. I shouted vigorously and Saldana came from the direction of his house and told me I mustn't make so much noise because the attackers will hear me."
Is that correct, did you say that to the person who took the statement?
MS M MOLETE: The whole portion you read is not correct.
MR STRYDOM: ...(inaudible) so I'm sure the person who took the statement did not know the name Saldana, it must have come from you, isn't it so?
MS M MOLETE: When I first gave the statement I mentioned the people who were in the house. I never shouted. I went to Saldana's place for help.
MR STRYDOM: And when you went to Saldana's house did you see that that house was in total disarray?
MS M MOLETE: That is at my sister or brother's place there, at Saldana's place, there was no fence at Florence's place, I went through the gate into the house carrying the baby, I did not shout.
CHAIRPERSON: Who is Saldana?
MS M MOLETE: Saldana is my sister's husband.
MR STRYDOM: Is his surname Mnisi?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: And your sister is Poleng Mnisi?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: And did they live in Slovo Park at the time of the attack?
MS M MOLETE: Are you referring to the Mnisi family?
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Was their house opposite the shack that was attacked where you were in?
MS M MOLETE: Slovo Park is an area of shacks, the whole area.
MR STRYDOM: Yes but my question is this, the shack of the Mnisi's close to the shack or opposite the shack where you were when you were attacked?
MS M MOLETE: That is opposite to number 17 and that place is number 19, it's next door.
MR STRYDOM: Yes. When you left the shack where you were attacked when was the first time after that when you saw Florence again?
MS M MOLETE: After the attack I went to hospital, I saw them as they came to me at the hospital.
CHAIRPERSON: I'm sorry. Subject to my interpretation being correct, this sentence says:
"I screamed hysterically"
Is that a proper interpretation?
MR STRYDOM: I translate it as "vigorously" or very, very loudly. Or the hysterical may also be correct, it's very close.
MR BERGER: I don't think it's hysterically, I screamed terribly.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Now what was the response to this statement?
MR STRYDOM: She said she never shouted.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. You never screamed?
MS M MOLETE: No Sir, I did not.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay and Saldana did not come from his house and tell you "Do not make such a noise otherwise the attackers will hear you"?
MS M MOLETE: He did not come out of his house, I went to his house.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, thank you Chair.
And it's stated here:
"We went to Saldana's house where we saw that everything was in a total disarray"
Is that portion correct?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: What's wrong there?
MS M MOLETE: Where you read that everything was in disarray at Saldana's house.
MR STRYDOM: Now wasn't the situation that things were turned upside down there?
MS M MOLETE: Things were not in the normal state, windows were broken.
MR STRYDOM: And inside the house, was everything in order?
MS M MOLETE: I had just arrived on that day on the day of the attack. What I found wrong was the broken windows.
CHAIRPERSON: Just before you go on, there is a sentence here. Can you remember I just read to you the portion of the statement which indicates that you screamed, Saldana came out of his house to warn you not to make a noise, do you remember that portion?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
CHAIRPERSON: Right. Now after this statement continues and it says:
"I said to Saldana there was no one because they had already left."
And I think by "they" here reference is being made to the attackers. Did you say this to Saldana?
MS M MOLETE: I went to Saldana's place and I said to him I need help. I cannot see Pule.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, so you did not say to Saldana "well there was no one else" that was all of them, I mean "everyone is gone"?
MS M MOLETE: That is so, I never said that.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. And you went to his house as I understand your evidence?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: And then did you find him? That is Saldana?
MS M MOLETE: I found them all in the house.
CHAIRPERSON: They were inside the house?
MS M MOLETE: Yes inside the shack.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. Yes Mr Strydom?
MR STRYDOM: At the stage you went to Saldana's house had you already seen the Hippo?
MS M MOLETE: I had finished that portion, I saw the Hippo whilst I was behind the house before I went to Saldana's place.
CHAIRPERSON: When you arrived at Saldana's house, was he with someone there or was he all by himself?
MS M MOLETE: He was with his wife and child.
CHAIRPERSON: Well see the statement that I've been reading to you continues to say:
"In response to my question as to where my sister was he said he did not know."
I beg your pardon:
"In response to my question as to where my sister and her child were, his response was he did not know."
Do you know anything about that?
MS M MOLETE: No, that's nothing I know.
ADV SIGODI: Sorry, can I just clarify something with you? The shack number 17 that you sent to, whose shack was it?
MS M MOLETE: Florence Molete.
ADV SIGODI: And the other one, Saldana's house?
MS M MOLETE: Number 19, that is one who follows me, Jeanette Molete.
ADV SIGODI: So both of these shacks belonged to your sisters, your two sisters.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, the two shacks belongs to my sisters.
CHAIRPERSON: Is Jeanette and Pule one and the same person?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Oh okay.
ADV SIGODI: So when you arrived at Saldana's house you say you found him with his wife and with his child, Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, madam.
ADV SIGODI: What did you say to him, did you ask him anything or did you say anything to him?
MS M MOLETE: I said to him I'm looking for Pule, where is Pule, my child has been injured and Saldana said no, leave for the dumping place so that I can get an ambulance. He never answered me where my husband was.
MR STRYDOM: When you got to Saldana's house did you tell him that you just saw a Hippo driving up the street towards the factory?
MS M MOLETE: There was no time for such statements. I told him I need help, I was carrying a child, I asked him where is Pule, that is when he said we must leave for Madiki so that he can arrange for ambulance.
MR STRYDOM: And did you find - sorry.
CHAIRPERSON: When you went to Saldana's house you had already seen the Hippo?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: The Hippo, was it clearly visible so that many people could have seen it driving in Bakwena Street?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: Apart from the attackers did you see when you went outside when you saw the Hippo, other people from Slovo Park or Boipatong in the streets?
MS M MOLETE: There was nobody it was just that Hippo and those people alone.
MR STRYDOM: And what was the colour of the Hippo?
MS M MOLETE: The Hippo's colour was mustard yellow.
MR STRYDOM: Was it a camouflage or not?
MS M MOLETE: I said it was yellow.
MR STRYDOM: No but I just want to find out if it was a bright yellow, you know this bright yellow that the police paint their vehicles with, like the vehicles that sometimes stand outside here. Was it a bright yellow colour or was it you say a mustard yellow, is it a darker yellow or what?
MS M MOLETE: It was this light because it was clear outside.
MR STRYDOM: I want to put to you that I've got a statement in my possession of Poleng Mnisi, that forms part of the bundle more towards the front, Chairperson, and what I want to put, I'm not going to read this statement to you but I want to put to you that Poleng Mnisi never made mention of any Koyoco or any Hippo in her statement and I've also got a statement of Florence Molete, your other sister, and similarly she does not state in this statement that at any stage she saw any Hippo or Koyoco.
CHAIRPERSON: Who is the second person?
MR STRYDOM: Florence Molete, yes.
So it seems to me that you were the only sister that saw this vehicle, is that according to your knowledge also the situation?
MS M MOLETE: Each one of us made in the statement in the manner they observed the events and this is how I observed the events.
MR STRYDOM: These people with the camouflage clothing, did they have overcoats on or not?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: And I think just to make it clear, also not Balaclavas, they had caps on? Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is not correct. They had camouflage overalls and caps.
MR STRYDOM: You see because according to Florence Molete in her statement at page 2 of her statement, on top of the statement appears the figures 1610, the second page of Florence Molete's statement.
MR LAX: Mr Strydom, where about on that page, can you just refer?
MR STRYDOM: At the bottom of the page.
MR LAX: Is that paragraph 4, is that right?
MR STRYDOM: Yes the last portion. It stated:
"When I got outside it was full moon, the light bright and I saw a White male person wearing a (camouflage) and an overcoat which was unbuttoned and it made it possible for me to see the clothing. He was having a rifle which was pointed towards the shack. Even though he was wearing a Balaclava, his face was fully visible and I could clearly see that he is a White person. I then ran back into the shack and called Pule."
So this could not have been the same person you have seen, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know because Florence was at another point and that's her statement.
CHAIRPERSON: Can you still - when you called Florence into the bedroom can you still remember where she was?
MS M MOLETE: She was in the kitchen.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. You wouldn't know what she was doing, would you, at the time?
MS M MOLETE: I said she was preparing to sleep, as visitors at her house she decided to move to the kitchen and sleep there.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay and did she respond to your call?
MS M MOLETE: We did not shout, I was whispering. I said to her come and see, they are attacking Pule. That is when they were breaking this door as she tried to come to me.
CHAIRPERSON: I see.
MR STRYDOM: And lastly I want to put to you something, I want also to put to you what Poleng Mnisi said in her statement, that's the one after Florence's statement, Florence Molete's statement, Poleng Mnisi on the third page of that statement and we know now she was in a house just opposite yours and she stated on page three of her statement:
"During the attack I did not see nor hear any vehicles. No one was injured in my family."
And then she went further to describe the damage. Now I just want to put to you that she didn't see the vehicles and she was very close to your house nor heard. Let me ask this way, apart from seeing ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: She was at house number 19, was it?
MR STRYDOM: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
MR LAX: Just one other thing Mr Strydom, you used the plural of vehicle, the statements singular, be that as it may.
MR STRYDOM: Yes it is. Did you at any stage hear any vehicles apart from seeing them, or apart from seeing it?
MS M MOLETE: I'm not aware of Puleng's statement. I'm much aware of my statement now you are referring me to Jeanette's statement.
MR STRYDOM: No, what I'm asking you now is did you hear a vehicle during the attack or just thereafter or before?
MS M MOLETE: No, I never heard a vehicle.
MR STRYDOM: When you came out of the hospital did you lay a charge in relation to the injuries you sustained and Mita sustained?
MS M MOLETE: I did not lay a charge.
MR STRYDOM: Did you give a statement to the peace desk in Boipatong and told them what happened to you and Mita?
MS M MOLETE: I'm not sure to which body you are referring to, I do not understand the peace desk you are referring to.
MR STRYDOM: Do you know what the Independent Board of Enquiry is?
MS M MOLETE: No, I do not understand.
MR STRYDOM: Let me just put it this way, apart from the time you gave the statement to the police you never gave any other person a statement, you never told your story what you saw about the police vehicles and about the Whites to any person that took a statement from you?
MS M MOLETE: I cannot recall at that time.
MR STRYDOM: Because if I look at the statement it appears the first time you told a person that took a statement about White people being involved was about eight months after the attack or nine months?
CHAIRPERSON: Where would that occur?
MR STRYDOM: That's the date of the first statement.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
MR STRYDOM: What I want to ask you isn't it something you made up at a later stage for reasons known only to you, that White people were involved in the attack?
CHAIRPERSON: I'm not too sure what is the basis of the proposition because as I understand it this is the very first statement that she made to the police, there is nothing which indicates at least of the record that she had made a previous statement in which no mention of the police is made so once it is accepted that the very first statement she made she mentioned the police, how does one jump from that and conclude that it is something she made up at a later stage.
MR STRYDOM: Maybe I'll just put it a different way.
CHAIRPERSON: If she made it up, she must have made it up from the very beginning of the first statement that she made to the police?
MR STRYDOM: Yes, but she never made a statement as far as we know at this stage at an earlier time, but nine months thereafter she said that White people were also involved.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes but do we know what statement she made earlier on?
MR STRYDOM: Well that's what I asked her.
Did you make a statement to any other person before the first statement you made to the police in stating that you saw White people?
MS M MOLETE: There is no previous statement that I made except the one I made to Mr Steenkamp.
CHAIRPERSON: Let's put it this way, we know that she made a statement to the police. Is that right, do you confirm that?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Apart from those statements that you made to the police, prior to that did you make any statements to any person as far as you can recall?
MS M MOLETE: The statement I made was the recent one except this one as we came to the Truth Commission and there's no way that I made a statement before this one.
CHAIRPERSON: Prior to making statements to the police you have not made any other statement?
MS M MOLETE: I have not done so except when I went for the Truth Commission.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes and at the Truth Commission did you give evidence?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: I've got no further questions.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR STRYDOM
CHAIRPERSON: The next person is you, Mr Lowies.
MR LOWIES: Thank you Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: We were supposed to have taken a break at about 3 o'clock but unfortunately we had to break much earlier so shall we take a short break now until about 10 past 4?
MR LOWIES: I'd appreciate, thank you Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Right. Ms Molete, I understand from your earlier evidence that you do not feel, well that you still have some ailment?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Whenever you feel that for some reason you cannot continue giving evidence, that you need a break, would you indicate to us?
MS M MOLETE: Thank you Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Very well, we will take a short adjournment and we'll come back at 10 past 4.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
ON RESUMPTION
CHAIRPERSON: Ms Molete, may I remind you that you're still under oath?
MIRIAM MOLETE: (s.u.o.)
CHAIRPERSON: Yes Mr Lowies?
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR LOWIES: Is it possible Mrs Molete that the person who assaulted you could have been an Albino?
MS M MOLETE: No, it was a White person.
MR LOWIES: Why do you exclude the possibility that the person could have been an Albino?
MS M MOLETE: He did not look like an Albino.
MR LOWIES: Now how does he differ from an Albino?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Is it not so that the only part that you according to you saw was his nose which could mean that he could have been a coloured for that matter as well, a coloured person with a light complexion?
MS M MOLETE: It was not only the nose that I could see, I also mentioned the eyes.
MR LOWIES: And if you had a look at the eyes and the nose could he have been an Albino or a Coloured person?
MS M MOLETE: Coloured people have brown eyes.
MR LOWIES: Now can you describe the opening of this Balaclava?
MS M MOLETE: I said the person who attacked me, the eyes and the nose were not concealed.
MR LOWIES: Now what I want to know from you was just in this Balaclava were there just two holes for the eyes and the hole for the nose or was the whole Balaclava open?
MS M MOLETE: There were two circles around the eye area and I think at the nose it was not covered. I did not see the witness pointing the nose or not. Round the eyes he had circles on the Balaclava and she's pointing around the nose where it was not concealed or the Balaclava did not conceal the nose.
CHAIRPERSON: Now was there just an opening for the nose?
MS M MOLETE: Yes.
MR LOWIES: So it's not as if the whole face - sorry, the whole area where the eyes and the nose are were open with a square? Two holes and a hole for a nose, in actual fact three holes in the Balaclava, correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is how I saw it.
MR LOWIES: And there was no attempt made to paint this part of the nose black according to your observation?
MS M MOLETE: No, on that score I do not know.
CHAIRPERSON: The part of the nose that you saw was not painted black?
MS M MOLETE: I said it was not painted because I could see this was a White person.
MR LOWIES: The two people in the camouflage uniforms that you described, you could see their faces, yes or no?
MS M MOLETE: Yes.
MR LOWIES: According to Mr Nosenga the people who he saw who were White had their faces painted. Now these people that you saw and that were White on your version, did they have painted faces? I'm not talking about the attacker now, I'm talking about the other two chaps.
MS M MOLETE: Their faces were not painted.
MR LOWIES: Can you describe the caps that they wore?
MS M MOLETE: They were camouflage type caps and the clothing went along with the caps, looked much the same as the caps.
MR LOWIES: And you say what they were wearing was overalls, not a shirt and a pair of trousers?
MS M MOLETE: Their clothing looked like overalls, these that you would have a belt around your waist and they had caps.
MR LOWIES: Now were these peak caps, in other words, that come out to the front or was it more like a beret such as you are wearing?
MS M MOLETE: Those were caps not berets, they never look anything like berets.
MR LOWIES: Your attacker, the one that stabbed you, what was the colour of his Balaclava?
MS M MOLETE: I did say that I do not know the colour to the Balaclava.
MR LOWIES: Yet you could see that his eyes were blue?
MS M MOLETE: I did see the eyes because the Apollo light was cursed into the house and the moonlight and this light next to the table.
MR LOWIES: ...(inaudible) light next to the table?
MS M MOLETE: Paraffin light.
MR LOWIES: If the paraffin light was not on, would you still have been able to see his eyes, the colour of his eyes?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR LOWIES: Now when did you observe him for the first time. Let me explain what I mean. According to you the person stabbed you in the eye with a sharp object. At that stage were you already aware of the fact that he was a White person, as you say?
MS M MOLETE: I was aware that he was a White person before he stabbed me with a sharpened instrument.
MR LOWIES: What weapons did this person carry?
MS M MOLETE: I saw the person who attacked me, a panga he was carrying and a sharpened instrument, so called Umjamenjo.
MR STRYDOM: In both hands?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR STRYDOM: What is the length of the sharpened object, could you just indicate to us?
MS M MOLETE: I cannot estimate the length and I won't be correct because I saw a person stabbing me. If I did not stab backwards he would have poked out my eye.
MR LOWIES: No but can't you indicate to us the length with your hands?
CHAIRPERSON: Is that the length of the?
MR LOWIES: The sharpened object.
CHAIRPERSON: Umjamenjo. Yes.
MR LOWIES: Thank you Chair.
MS M MOLETE: No Sir, I would not know how other Umjamenjo's lengths are.
MR LAX: Sorry, Mrs Molete, you're being asked to - not about other Umjamenjos, you're being asked about this particular one that stabbed you. If you can't remember that's fine but you're not been asked about other ones, you're being asked about this one.
MS M MOLETE: I cannot estimate it's length, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Is there a specific reason why you can't? Didn't you see properly or what is the reason?
MS M MOLETE: I could see but I tried to protect myself with my hand.
CHAIRPERSON: Is the position that because you were trying to protect yourself from this onslaught, you didn't pay much attention to this Umjamenjo so as to be able to give us the size of the blade or the Umjamenjo itself?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct and I thank you for the question you've raised.
MR STRYDOM: When you saw the person entering the premises or your shack with these weapons, were you afraid?
MS M MOLETE: I was not that afraid.
MR STRYDOM: Now obviously when you saw him you had to make sure whether he was in possession of a weapon, not so?
MS M MOLETE: Please repeat the question?
MR LOWIES: When you saw the person obviously you had to make sure whether he had weapons, not so, whether he was carrying weapons with him?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR LOWIES: And even at that stage you were not able to discern what the length of this weapon was, the sharpened object?
MS M MOLETE: I have already stated my answer.
MR LOWIES: And I take it you did not have much time to look at this person and the weapons he was carrying, not so?
MS M MOLETE: You are correct.
MR LOWIES: All in all, how long would you say were you in the presence of this person?
MS M MOLETE: It was a few seconds or minutes.
MR LOWIES: Now wasn't there a situation where somebody else tried to grab the child from you and I'm referring to Mita?
MS M MOLETE: There was nobody else, it was myself and the attacker alone. The rest I did not see. Her father was already taken out, they had taken him out.
MR LOWIES: And Florence, at that stage?
MS M MOLETE: She was busy with her attackers also.
MR LOWIES: Because Florence says in her statement, it's the eleventh page, Mr Chairman, paragraph 4, approximately in the middle thereof:
"I managed to reach Miriam who was having Mita in her arms. At the time when I was to take Mita, one of the attackers chopped me on the head with a panga."
Did this not happen?
MS M MOLETE: That never happened to me, I am not aware of the facts contained in Florence's statement.
MR LOWIES: And then she goes on to state:
"Miriam cried that her child Mita was killed."
Is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: That is not correct.
MR LOWIES: Did you not cry when your child was hacked by this person?
MS M MOLETE: At the time he stabbed me I did not cry, I cried afterwards as we went to the dumping place and after the child had fainted.
MR LOWIES: Did you not shout at all at that stage when the child was injured?
MS M MOLETE: I did not shout, I was trying to save her life.
MR LOWIES: And at that stage when the child was hacked and when you got injured on your thumb as you described, Florence was not in your immediate vicinity, on your version?
MS M MOLETE: Sir, I could not see her, I was trying to help my daughter and myself also.
CHAIRPERSON: But you don't know exactly where she was at the time?
MS M MOLETE: She was busy with her attackers. I was right at the door, that is where my fight ended, at the door.
CHAIRPERSON: And where was Florence with her attackers?
MS M MOLETE: She was right there in the kitchen, to watch the door as you move out of the house, she was not next to me.
MR LOWIES: But there was never a situation whereby she attempted to grab the child or take the child from you and then you were hacked or the child was hacked by this person?
MS M MOLETE: The child was hacked in my hands not in Florence's arms.
MR LOWIES: No, that's not the question, she didn't even try to take the child from you, that's what I'm asking?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR LOWIES: Did you at any stage become hysterical?
MS M MOLETE: Since the 17th I've been like that, the very day or night of the attack.
MR LOWIES: I don't follow, if could just explain? Do you know what hysterical means? Crying, sobbing, uncontrollably.
MS M MOLETE: That was the situation when I came from hospital.
MR LOWIES: Not on the night of the attack?
MS M MOLETE: The day of the attack I went to the hospital after we were attacked. I was there until I was discharged, that is when now my problems began and then I was disturbed.
MR LOWIES: What do you mean disturbed?
CHAIRPERSON: I am told that what was conveyed to her by way of interpretation is that she was deeply disturbed or something to that effect.
INTERPRETER: Chairperson, Mr Lowies stated that was she not hysterical, I therefore interpreted that to mean she was deeply disturbed as you say seSotho, I said ...(indistinct).
CHAIRPERSON: I think Mr Lowies has just indicated what he means by hysterical, that is crying uncontrollably, do you understand that Mr Interpreter, as opposed to being deeply disturbed?
INTERPRETER: Yes I did get that and I corrected that version of the question.
MS M MOLETE: I do not understand whether he means on that day or thereafter?
MR BERGER: Chairperson, the witness also said that after she left the hospital, my instructions are that she was suffering from nerves and but that wasn't what - I was going to object to the depth of this cross-examination and I wonder whether it's strictly necessary to go to such depth to prove a point that is not readily apparent to me. Perhaps if my learned friend can put the point rather than going to these depths it might save the witness some anguish.
CHAIRPERSON: Well Mr Berger, you've got to understand that Mr Lowies has instructions. It is unfortunate but these matters ought to be probed to the extent that there might be relevant and issues of credibility.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, I do understand that and that's why my hand has been sitting here and I haven't objected because I understand this.
CHAIRPERSON: Let's clarify this aspect first, let's go back to this question whether she cried uncontrollably, you know, after this incident.
CHAIRPERSON: Could you ask the question, Mr Berger?
MR LOWIES: Chair sorry, I have to apologise, I did not hear you.
CHAIRPERSON: We now know that the - what was conveyed to her was not accurately conveyed to her.
MR LOWIES: I'll go through the process again with your permission.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR LOWIES: Ma'am, the night of the incident there at the scene, did you cry uncontrollably or sob uncontrollably because of the fear and because of the brutalness of the attack?
MS M MOLETE: No, that is not correct.
MR LOWIES: However, if I do understand you correctly that as a result of the attack you now suffer from nerves?
MS M MOLETE: That is so.
MR LOWIES: Does that have an influence on your recollection as to what happened on that night?
MS M MOLETE: It is not always that the same happens, this only comes out when we have hearings of this matter or if it happens that I look back at my life since 1992 to date.
MR LOWIES: Yes but my question is, the fact that you suffer from your nerves and that you are well as you testified earlier on, does that have an influence on your ability to recall the incidents on that night? Sorry to have to ask you this.
MS M MOLETE: I do not understand your question.
MR LOWIES: The question is this, you've told us that when you testified about these events that occurred to you, you suffer from the nerves amongst other things. Okay, what counsel wants to find out, the nerves that you suffer from, does that effect your ability to recall the events?
MS M MOLETE: No, they do not.
MR LOWIES: We've heard your evidence earlier on when cross-examined by Mr Strydom next to me that you said that at the time when the statements were taken you were sick. Did you refer to your nerves, the nerve situation that you have?
MS M MOLETE: I said since this incident I have been an ill person, I've got a heart situation at the moment.
CHAIRPERSON: What you are being asked is this, you know, when you were asked about the statements that you made to the police, you mentioned amongst other things that when this statement was taken you were sick. Do you recall that?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do.
CHAIRPERSON: Now what counsel wants to find out, were you referring to the nerves that you suffer from amongst other things?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I was referring to the nerves.
MR LOWIES: When Mr Strydom cross-examined you regarding the contents of the written statement, he explained that when the statement was written, I was sick. In the process arguing that you could not think properly from the gist of your answer at that stage, is that not correct?
MR BERGER: No, that's not what the witness said.
CHAIRPERSON: What did she say?
MR BERGER: She said she was sick, she didn't elaborate on it, as my learned friend has.
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Lowies?
MR LOWIES: Chairman, that was used as a reason why she could not properly recall what happened there and could not properly relate to the police what happened there which is just another word of stating what I have - another manner in stating in what I have just stated.
CHAIRPERSON: I beg your pardon?
MR LOWIES: Which is just another way, Chairman, of stating what I have put to her, but I can rephrase the question.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR LOWIES: You see, ma'am, when you specifically mentioned this and I've got a quote here, when the statement was written "I was sick", you did so in reply to questions put by Mr Strydom regarding differences and omissions in your statement to the police. My question therefore is the following, did your illness, your nerves, have an effect at the time or had it an effect at the time when the statement was taken by the police?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR LOWIES: So when these statements that Mr Strydom referred you to were taken, you were in the same position as you are today, regarding the recollection of what happened on the night of the incident, correct?
MS M MOLETE: Are you referring to the day I gave in the statements to the police?
MR LOWIES: Ja, the days, ja.
MS M MOLETE: I was not that ill that I could not speak, I was able to walk as is the situation today.
MR LOWIES: And your recollection was the same more or less as it is today, that's what I'm trying to find out.
MS M MOLETE: Well, I wouldn't know on that one, no it wouldn't be the same.
CHAIRPERSON: Let me put it to you this way, you will tell us whether that's true or not. As far as you are aware, cast it in your mind back at a time when you gave the statement in to the police, as far as you are aware, was there anything which effected your ability to recall the events that took place on the 17th June?
MS M MOLETE: That is so, Sir.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, what is it?
MS M MOLETE: The ability not to fend for myself because my left hand is the one that I use.
INTERPRETER: Chairperson, I was asking her to repeat what she said earlier, I missed that one also. She said something about her left hand being her right hand but I wanted to get the accurate one.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MS M MOLETE: I said my hand, my left hand is the one I use and my child is confined to a wheelchair. She's growing up, I cannot hold her up like the time I used to and all this in my mind effects my life and that the father who used to fend for her is now dead.
CHAIRPERSON: Now did all of this effect your ability to recall the events?
MS M MOLETE: Like Mr Lowies asked me those were all the things that effected my life that I cannot prosper or fend for myself, those are the things.
MR LAX: I'm still unclear about the way you've answered these questions. You're talking about things that have effected your life and your future. What you're being asked is this, these terrible things that have happened to you and this experience that happened to you that has left you with nerves and other ailments, has that effected the way you are able to tell the story, the way you're able to remember what happened on that night in any way? That's what you're being asked, do you understand?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I do. No, they are not.
MR LAX: Thank you Mr Lowies.
MR LOWIES: Thank you Mr Lax.
So ma'am, it did not effect you then when you made the statements to the police and it does not effect you here today to tell the story and remember the events?
MS M MOLETE: That is so.
MR LOWIES: So if you said to Mr Strydom that the reason why you omitted certain items and why there are discrepancies in your statements and your evidence today and you blame that on your illness, that should not be read as such?
MR BERGER: Chairperson, she did not say that, in fact her evidence was to the contrary, she said "I did say those things but the interpreter was speaking Sepedi and I was speaking SeTswana and I don't know it wasn't recorded." That was her evidence.
CHAIRPERSON: There are some other occasions where reference was made by her to the effect that when she gave the statement she was sick.
MR BERGER: Yes but ...(intervention)
MR LOWIES: Your answer?
MS M MOLETE: May you please repeat the question, Sir?
MR LOWIES: On at least two or three occasions you stated to Mr Strydom the reason for certain omissions were as a result of your sickness and the omissions, I refer to the omissions in the statements.
CHAIRPERSON: It did not say it directly as you're putting it. Perhaps what you should do is maybe her ask her whether is that what she was suggesting?
MR LOWIES: That's it Chair, that's actually how it should be read, my question should be read.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR LOWIES: Were you suggesting to Mr Strydom that your illness had an effect on your ability to tell your version of the events on the night of the attack to the police?
MS M MOLETE: No, I did not say so.
MR LOWIES: Okay. Now these people that you've described as the White people, did they wear headbands?
MS M MOLETE: No, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Now besides them, did everybody else on what you saw that night, wear headbands or were there other people that you saw without headbands?
MS M MOLETE: I did not see them all, those that I'd seen had red headbands and white headbands.
MR LOWIES: Now do you know the difference - sorry Chair?
CHAIRPERSON: I didn't quite catch the answer to the last question.
MR LAX: Those that she saw had red headbands or white headbands. She didn't see all of them but those that she did see ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, let's put the question again. Just put the question again?
MR LOWIES: Thank you.
Now, besides these White people that you described, did everybody else that you saw that night wear headbands?
MS M MOLETE: Those who were at my sister's place they had red and white headbands.
MR LOWIES: All of them except the Whites, as you say?
MS M MOLETE: Those that I have seen, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Yes testified that you requested Mr Kekana to speak SeTswana?
CHAIRPERSON: Just a minute, by "my sister's place" you're referring to Florence's house?
MS M MOLETE: As I peeped through this place they were at Jeanette's place number 19, not 17.
CHAIRPERSON: So the persons that you saw who had either red or white bands, they were at Poleng's place?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright, yes.
MR LOWIES: Thank you Chair.
And the people that you saw at the place where you were attacked except for the three people that you say were Whites, did they wear headbands?
MS M MOLETE: I say so.
MR LOWIES: Now to come to Mr Kekana, why did you request him to speak SeTswana?
MS M MOLETE: It is because I can understand SeTswana, that's my husband's first language. However, I cannot understand properly Sepedi therefore I said to them if he can not speak SeSotho, better speak SeTswana for me to understand.
MR LOWIES: So Kekana was speaking Sepedi?
MS M MOLETE: He mixed languages.
MR LOWIES: Which languages?
MS M MOLETE: He spoke in SeTswana and his SeSotho was not that fluent and he leaned much to Sepedi language.
MR LOWIES: Sorry, I couldn't catch the last part?
MS M MOLETE: He leaned much more to Sepedi in his speech.
CHAIRPERSON: So Mr Kekana spoke a mix of SeTswana and Sepedi?
MS M MOLETE: His SeSotho was not fluent, you could hear that his language leaned much more to Sepedi.
MR LOWIES: But in your statement it reads at page 10, the 10th page, your first statement, said that it was a statement in Sotho? Now did you speak Sotho with each other as reflected in the statement?
MS M MOLETE: Yes I spoke in SeSotho.
MR LOWIES: Oh, my mistake, I'm at page ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: As I understand what you're saying, just correct me if I'm wrong, you spoke to Kekana in SeSotho, is that right?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: But he could not speak fluent Sotho?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: His was a mixture of SeTswana and Pedi but there was more Pedi to it than Sotho?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay and that is why you then you ask if he could speak SeTswana?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR LOWIES: I have to just correct a question that I put to you. On the 29th page, your first statement, it states that the statement was taken in SeSotho? First sentence, states in SeSotho under oath, page 29 of the bundle. So it appears to me that both of you spoke in SeSotho?
MR LAX: No, she speaks SeSotho, that's what it states.
MR LOWIES: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON: The witness has just explained how this occurred. They were supposed to Sotho as I understand it. Mr Kekana was not fluent in SeSotho, he spoke a mixture of Tswana and Pedi but there was more Pedi than there was Tswana which is why she then requested him to speak in Tswana.
MR LOWIES: Thank you Chair.
But you were telling him what happened on the night, not he telling you?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
MR LOWIES: So he was actually just asking you questions to get your version of what happened, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: May you please repeat the question please?
MR LOWIES: So he actually just asked you questions as to what happened and then you related to him what was the situation and what transpired that night?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR LOWIES: And do I then understand correctly, you couldn't understand his questions to you?
CHAIRPERSON: When did she say she didn't understand the questions?
MR LOWIES: She did not say that.
CHAIRPERSON: She did not say? Then what are putting.
MR LOWIES: She said - sorry Chairman, the way I had it is the following, she said that he was only asking her questions to relate to him what happened, therefore the conclusion, this is the question, that she did not understand his questions. I'm asking her that, because her version is she only asked the questions as to what happened.
CHAIRPERSON: I can't understand, I mean how do you come to that conclusion in light of her direct evidence to the effect that this man spoke in Tswana and Sepedi and a little bit of Sotho?
MR LOWIES: I'll leave it at that.
CHAIRPERSON: Well unless there is something to that that I can't see?
MR LOWIES: I'll retract the question, Chair.
Now according to this statement, the first statement, you acknowledged that you knew and understand the contents of this whole statement?
CHAIRPERSON: Which statement is this?
MR LOWIES: Page 29, the first statement.
CHAIRPERSON: The first statement, yes.
MR LOWIES: Do you deny that this happened?
CHAIRPERSON: You've just read to her what appears on the statement and what you've read is a certificate wherein she says she understands the contents of the statement and acknowledges, now the question?
MR LOWIES: The question is, in the light of this statement by Kekana, where it appears from the document that you have acknowledged that you know and understand the contents of this declaration, did something like this happen, in other words did Kekana ask you do you know and understand the contents of this declaration?
MS M MOLETE: After I have gained the statement he never read it to me.
MR LOWIES: And he didn't ask you either? Do you understand the statement, do you acknowledge that you know what is in the statement, words to that effect?
MS M MOLETE: I cannot remember, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Did he ask you to take the oath?
MS M MOLETE: What do you mean, Sir?
MR LOWIES: Whether you have any objection to the taking of the oath and whether you consider it as binding on your conscience and to say so help me God?
MS M MOLETE: That was never stated to us.
MR LOWIES: Now Chairman, my attention is drawn to the time, I don't know whether it's an appropriate time ...(indistinct)
CHAIRPERSON: How far are you from finishing this witness?
MR LOWIES: It's difficult to say, I'd say 10, 15 minutes.
CHAIRPERSON: If we could, maybe we should break at this stage, Mr Lowies?
MR LOWIES: I'd appreciate it Chairman because I have a problem with the witness that I want to consult with but again I'm in your hands.
CHAIRPERSON: No, we are in your hands. If you finish early, if you don't finish, we don't go. Alright but I think it's been a fairly long day. Okay very well, we will adjourn at this stage. You will reconvene at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Ms Molete, would you make sure that you are here by 9 o'clock tomorrow morning?
MS M MOLETE: I will be here Sir.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes thank you.
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, just before the adjournment, I indicated to you Chairman that tomorrow I have a problem, I'll see if I can come during the course of the day but there will be - Mr Fredrech will be here for me. Thanks.
CHAIRPERSON: Who else will be absent tomorrow?
No one? Very well.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
18-05-1999: Day 12
Matter: Boipatong Massacre
ON RESUMPTION
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Berger, would you care to introduce us to the lady who is sitting next to the witness?
MR BERGER: Chairperson, she's from the TRC, she's not with us.
CHAIRPERSON: Oh, okay. Yes, very well.
Ms Molete, may I remind you that you're still under oath. Hopefully I'm reminding you for the last time.
MIRIAM MOLETE: (s.u.o.)
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, Mr Lowies?
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR LOWIES: (Cont)
Ms Molete, in your mind, does a Hippo and a Koyoco one and the same thing?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know, I only know of the Hippo.
MR LOWIES: In your mind is a Hippo and a Casspir one and the same thing?
MS M MOLETE: I say I do not know, I only know that it is called a Hippo.
MR LOWIES: Did anybody board the Hippo, get onto the Hippo on that night of the incident?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Did you see whether anybody loaded anything onto the Hippo?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know, Sir.
MR LOWIES: According to you, was this Hippo a Hippo belonging to the police or the army?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know the police or the soldiers' Hippo, I only know a Hippo.
MR LOWIES: Now was there sufficient place for this Hippo to drive in Slovo Park between the shacks?
MR BERGER: Chairperson, she never testified that the Hippo was driving in Slovo Park between the shacks.
CHAIRPERSON: Do you want this witness to tell us that the Hippo that she saw drove through Slovo Park?
MS M MOLETE: No, I would just like to know whether it was possible.
CHAIRPERSON: But you are asking her for an opinion, is it?
MR LOWIES: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON: Why, why is it relevant?
MR LOWIES: As to the width of the streets.
CHAIRPERSON: I see, okay. I understand.
MR LOWIES: What is your answer?
MS M MOLETE: There were no streets in Slovo Park, the Hippo moved along Bakwena Street.
MR LOWIES: Now the people with the Hippo, were they running or just walking normally?
MS M MOLETE: They were in front of the Hippo and they seemed to be walking hastily.
MR LOWIES: The two white people that you saw with the camouflage uniform, overalls, camouflage overalls, which part of their faces did you see? At what angle were you looking?
MS M MOLETE: I was looking towards the door. Their faces were not covered.
MR LOWIES: No, did you see them from the side - sorry?
CHAIRPERSON: I think what counsel wants to find out is this, were you looking at their faces from the side or from the front?
MS M MOLETE: I was looking at them directly. They were standing at the door and I had thrown myself on the floor and I looked directly at them.
MR LOWIES: ...(indistinct)
INTERPRETER: The speaker is off record.
MR LOWIES: Did you glance at them whilst you were on the floor, or did you have a good look at them?
MS M MOLETE: I had thrown myself on the floor. I had not fainted, I looked at them thoroughly.
MR LOWIES: Now were you not hiding your face whilst on the floor?
MS M MOLETE: No.
MR LOWIES: Now had the lamp, the paraffin lamp on your version, which was there been out, would you still have been able to see these ...(intervention)
MR BERGER: Chairperson, this question has been asked and answered.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, I think Mr Berger is right.
MR LOWIES: I dispute that. What has been asked was regarding the person with the balaclava, not regarding these two people.
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Berger, my colleague Mr Lax indicates to me that Mr Lowies is right.
MR BERGER: I can't dispute that.
CHAIRPERSON: Ja, very well.
MR LOWIES: Had the lamp been out, would you have been able to see the faces of the two chaps with the camouflage overalls?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I would see them.
MR LOWIES: Why, where were they in relation to the light?
MS M MOLETE: They were outside at the door. The apollo light was switched on and there was moonlight.
MR LOWIES: Now what provided the light for you to see, the apollo light, the moonlight and the lamp or just the apollo light and the moonlight? Did you see these two?
MS M MOLETE: There was a greater light and there was moonlight and the door was broken down.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, I think the witness said apollo light, which wasn't interpreted.
INTERPRETER: I did mention apollo light, Mr Berger.
MR BERGER: No, no, the second time around, I'm sorry, when it came:
"There was greater light, there was ..."
CHAIRPERSON: What I have ... let me just make sure. What I have here:
"There was moonlight, apollo light and the door to the house had been broken down."
Right?
MR LAX: What he said was:
"There was greater light, moonlight and the door was broken down."
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. Okay, so ...
MR LAX: Sorry, Mr Translator, it came across - maybe you can just explain what was meant by that, but the answers seem to be:
"There was greater light, moonlight and the door was broken down."
What is meant by greater light, I've no - we were a bit puzzled.
INTERPRETER: Ms Molete stated the apollo light was switched on, which is what I said, and that there was moonlight and then she further on stated that there was greater light for her to can see because the door was broken down.
MR LAX: Okay, thank you.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you.
MR LOWIES: Chair, have I been 10 minutes?
I just want to put to you finally then, Mrs Molete, that it is disputed that there were any white there and that there was a Hippo as you say.
CHAIRPERSON: What is your comment, Ma'am? You see what Mr Lowies has put to you is that the applicants deny that there were any white men during the attacks, what do you say to that?
MS M MOLETE: There were white people present. Even when I was in Pretoria and Mr Strydom had summoned us, Mr Strydom himself stated that the police and the white person were present and he bought barrels for us and gave us R150 and stated to us that we must not disclose this.
MR LOWIES: Are you saying my colleague, Strydom, bribed you with R150 to say there were no police?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, he gave us R150. Some of them are here when he had called us there and we were telling him our statement as he called us to meet him.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Ma'am, would you please slowly just repeat what you have said. You said Mr Strydom knew that there were police and white men during the attack?
MS M MOLETE: When he called us to Pretoria he said the white persons and the police do not deny that they were present.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, just hold on. Yes?
MS M MOLETE: But today they have disowned those people. And sent us to buy a Kentucky barrel for us.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, wait a minute, you've said that:
"When he called us to Pretoria he said that the white men and the police do not deny that they were present."
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Continue from there, yes?
MS M MOLETE: From there at lunchtime he said some of us should go and buy a Kentucky barrel.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes?
MS M MOLETE: When we were to leave he gave us each R150.
CHAIRPERSON: How many of you were there?
MS M MOLETE: Some of them are not here.
CHAIRPERSON: How many approximately were there?
MS M MOLETE: I remember seven of us.
CHAIRPERSON: Were you told why you were given this R150?
MS M MOLETE: No, he didn't state a reason, he said we must leave, those are our pocket monies.
CHAIRPERSON: I thought initially you told us you were given this money, R150, so that you should not disclose that the white men and the police were present during the attack.
MS M MOLETE: As he explained, I do not deny, he had our statements that the police were present and the white persons, but the white persons have disowned them today.
CHAIRPERSON: I don't follow what you are saying now, just start afresh.
MS M MOLETE: Mr Strydom, as he called us to Pretoria, he said to us he does not deny that these people say the police and the white men were there.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, we've gone past that. All that I want to find out from you is, you told us a minute ago that you were given this R150 so that you should not disclose the fact that there were police and white men during the attack. Did you say that?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Can you recall approximately when this occurred?
MS M MOLETE: If I can recall I think it would be before the 77 people were jailed in 1993. I cannot remember the day and the month, but I think I've got them at home.
MR LAX: Can I just understand something? You said something about disowning people, I didn't quite follow that, something like "today they disown those people", what did you mean? Did that happen today or did that happen on that day, what exactly are you saying? I just don't understand that.
MS M MOLETE: That was stated when we were at Pretoria.
MR LAX: State by who?
MS M MOLETE: By Mr Strydom.
MR LAX: Just repeat the gist of what was said, I just didn't catch it clearly so I just didn't get a proper note.
MS M MOLETE: He stated that he does not deny. He heard that the police and the white men were there, but today these people are being disowned without no assistance.
CHAIRPERSON: He said to you - well let me put it this way, who are the people who were not denying that the police were there? Were these the accused persons or the police?
MS M MOLETE: They accused persons. He said it was the accused persons.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. So what Mr Strydom told you is that the accused were not denying the fact that the white men and the police had been present during the attack.
MS M MOLETE: Yes, that's what he stated. He did not say this to myself alone, we were a group of people in the office.
CHAIRPERSON: But that the accused were then being deserted by the police and the white men?
MS M MOLETE: As he stated, that is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: If you had been called to testify you would have told the court that there were white men and policemen during the attack?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: And Mr Strydom knew that that is what you were going to say?
MS M MOLETE: I would know what he would have in his mind, but like I've been saying I would testify that the white men were there.
CHAIRPERSON: He didn't ask you about what you saw on that day?
MS M MOLETE: He was actually asking us about our statements and police who were there we must not speak to him secretly, we must talk to him in the open right there where we were. Thereafter he send some of us to go and buy food barrels and that is when after we got this R150. We didn't use the State vehicles to get there. And he said we must organise a car and he paid it later on.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Was it Mr Strydom who paid for the motor vehicle?
MS M MOLETE: He paid the owner of the motor vehicle, he himself. We were all in that office where he had called us.
CHAIRPERSON: And was the driver also there?
MS M MOLETE: He was there.
CHAIRPERSON: And Mr Strydom took out money from his pocket and paid.
MS M MOLETE: He had all the money, even the one that he gave to us. And the driver got money, R150, except that for the petrol.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
ADV SIGODI: Sorry, you mentioned that you could remember seven of the people who were present, can you give us their names?
MS M MOLETE: I remember Mhlango, Phule ...
ADV SIGODI: Your sister?
MS M MOLETE: Mrs Tsoatetsi, Keketsi, Simon, Makhoedi.
CHAIRPERSON: How do you spell that?
MS M MOLETE: M-A-K-H-O-E-D-I. And then myself and my child, Mita.
CHAIRPERSON: Now what is Simon's surname, do you know?
MS M MOLETE: Simon Moloi.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, yes.
ADV SIGODI: Did you attend the trial when the accused were giving evidence?
MS M MOLETE: No, we only went to testify.
ADV SIGODI: But you said that you did not testify at the criminal trial.
MS M MOLETE: In fact we never attended court, we were just asked questions in some of the rooms, not that we entered the courtroom and gave evidence. I went twice. On the third occasion we were called by Mr Strydom. At first Mr Kekana would call us and they would question us in some of the rooms, not in court.
MR SIBANYONI: Mrs Molete, where are there rooms you are talking about?
MS M MOLETE: They are at Pretoria. As you enter the main entrance there are some various rooms, not in the courtroom, they are like offices, these rooms.
MR SIBANYONI: Who owns the rooms, is it the police or lawyers?
MS M MOLETE: Where they write in events, statements. Like if I go and lay a charge, that's where they write things down.
MR SIBANYONI: Did you see police around there?
MS M MOLETE: The police were at all times on guard, they were present.
MR SIBANYONI: You have just said sometimes you were called by Mr Kekana who would ask you about the events, is it the Kekana who was interpreting for you, who was speaking the mixture of Tsetedi and Tswana?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, it is them.
MR SIBANYONI: Excuse me. Now the Strydom you are talking about, is it the Strydom to whom you were giving a statement when Kekana was interpreting for you? I'm just using the word Strydom. Is it a white person to whom you were giving a statement when Mr Kekana was interpreting for you?
MS M MOLETE: That is not Strydom. The one who was with Kekana was a Steenkamp. At the moment we are speaking about Strydom. The one who was talking to Kekana is Steenkamp.
MR SIBANYONI: I also heard you saying that it was before these people were arrested, or before they were tried, did I understand you correctly?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR SIBANYONI: The trial had already started, but it was before they were convicted.
MS M MOLETE: Yes, we would go to Delmas. They would go to Delmas and Pretoria and other places. They have not yet been convicted.
MR SIBANYONI: Now how did Mr Strydom call you, was it by way of a letter or was it telephonically?
MS M MOLETE: It was a letter, because we were always first by motor vehicles, kombis, State kombis at the different stages. So many would go and then later on so many would go and then they would be questioned so and so on.
MR SIBANYONI: And - okay, lastly, you were called in preparation of the trial. In other words they were trying to find out from your group who will be called as State witnesses. Did you understand that that way?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR SIBANYONI: What I'm trying to find out is whether you are not making a mistake when you say this person who was calling you is Mr Strydom, when in fact it was part of the prosecution.
MS M MOLETE: I am not making a mistake, and the others would come and give evidence on this matter.
MR SIBANYONI: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON: When the trail of the accused commenced, did you go to court?
MS M MOLETE: No, Sir.
INTERPRETER: The answer is "no".
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. The only time you were called in connection with the trial was when it was in Pretoria?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
CHAIRPERSON: Was that the first time you attended the, you went to court when the trial was proceeding?
MS M MOLETE: We would go there on a daily basis, but we would not enter the court. I went thrice myself.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, okay. When you went there for the first time, did anyone speak to you?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Who was it, can you recall?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know the surname of that policeman. It is Themba and Lucky Kekana, in the company of Mr Steenkamp in that room. We would go in one after the other and we would be questioned.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Do you know what a prosecutor is?
MS M MOLETE: I have not been to court.
CHAIRPERSON: The Steenkamp that you are talking about, is that the Steenkamp to whom you made a statement?
MS M MOLETE: I was giving my statement to Lucky Kekana and he would tell Mr Steenkamp what I said.
CHAIRPERSON: Now apart from Kekana, Steenkamp and, did you say Lucky?
MR LAX: Themba.
CHAIRPERSON: Is Themba and Lucky two different persons?
MS M MOLETE: They are different people.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. Apart from those three persons, was there any other person in the room?
MS M MOLETE: No.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, and on the second day what happened?
MS M MOLETE: The second time I spoke to Lucky Kekana alone, at the very offices.
CHAIRPERSON: And on the third occasion, was that when you spoke to Mr Strydom?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: And that was the last day you attended court?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, thank you.
MR LAX: Just one last aspect if you'd allow me. How -you were called to the same place the third time, were you told anything by anybody before you spoke to Mr Strydom?
MS M MOLETE: When we arrived there we were told that it is not our day maybe on the roll.
INTERPRETER: If I could ask the witness to say what does she mean when she says it is not our day. Maybe that would clarify that.
MR LAX: Ja, please explain that.
MS M MOLETE: It was not our day as victims to get into court and they asked us who called us.
MR LAX: Yes, and?
MS M MOLETE: We told Simon to hand out the letter that we received.
MR LAX: Who did he give it to?
MS M MOLETE: We were showing this letter to the policemen who were in there.
MR LAX: And what was the result of that?
MS M MOLETE: The other left and fetched Mr Strydom.
MR LAX: And then?
MS M MOLETE: Then Mr Strydom came in to us.
MR LAX: Okay.
MR LOWIES: You said something about some policeman talking to you about your statements, either with Strydom or before Strydom or something like that. I just couldn't catch it properly.
MS M MOLETE: I said Themba and Lucky worked in that, and those were the police that I worked with. And thereafter when we were called by Mr Strydom, we talked to this policeman who fetched Mr Strydom, who works at Pretoria.
MR LAX: And when you spoke to Mr Strydom, who else was present with you? Was there anyone else there?
MS M MOLETE: I was not alone speaking to Mr Strydom, we were all the people that he had called.
MR LAX: Yes, but besides the people who were called and Mr Strydom, was anyone else present?
MS M MOLETE: No, Sir.
MR LAX: Thanks, Chairperson.
MR LOWIES: Sorry, Chairman, I was taken a little bit aback. I'll have to canvass this with my colleague. At this stage I request a postponement, an adjournment, sorry, so that I can just get proper instructions regarding this. I'm totally unprepared. Inter alia from Mr Strydom and also my attorney. Well I can't talk to him now, but I'd like to talk to Mr Strydom.
CHAIRPERSON: You're not representing Mr Strydom are you?
MR LOWIES: No, but I will have to cross-examine regarding this evidence, Sir.
CHAIRPERSON: What for?
MR LOWIES: Well these are serious allegations against my client, because what she says is firstly, my clients knew there were white policemen and their lawyers, and probably mine as well, or probably my clients as well, bribed her with R150 not to mention this.
CHAIRPERSON: Just refresh my memory. What was the difference that was put at the trial? Isn't there something which indicates that the defence ...(indistinct)
CHAIRPERSON HAS DISCUSSION WITH PANEL
MR BERGER: Chairperson, I haven't looked at the Heads for a long time, but it was a denial that they were present at all. And there was an argument about the attack having been carried out with military precision, if I remember correctly. I don't know if Mr Frederech was the instructing attorney in the trial.
MR FREDERECH ?: Chair, at that stage I was not on the scene yet, but it was a bare denial that was given. That was the instruction. They were not there at the scene when - yes.
CHAIRPERSON: ...(inaudible) the presence of the police.
MR FREDERECH ?: On that I have no idea unfortunately.
CHAIRPERSON: Very well, Ms Pretorius. Do you have any further questions to put to this witness?
MR LOWIES: Can I not get a postponement?
CHAIRPERSON: No, there's going to be no postponement, you will continue with your cross-examination now. If you don't have questions to put you can take instructions from your client during the break, but we can't have a postponement now.
MR LOWIES: No, I don't want a postponement, sorry Chair.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR LOWIES: I meant an adjournment.
CHAIRPERSON: You mean a stand-down?
MR LOWIES: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON: Well you will have the opportunity during the tea break. You can take instructions from your client.
MR LOWIES: And then I can re-cross-examine on these ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: And you can go out an take instructions now.
MR LOWIES: Thank you, Chairman. Can I be excused?
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. Yes, Ms Pretorius?
MS PRETORIUS: I have no questions. I just want to put it to the witness that my instructions are that there was no Hippo and no white men ...(inaudible) part of the attack on that night.
MS M MOLETE: I say they were present.
MS PRETORIUS: That's all thank you, Chairman.
MS M MOLETE: In my case I had a fight with a white man.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MS TANZER: Thank you, Chair.
When you say that your attackers were wearing camouflaged overalls, were they civilian clothes or did they look like some kind of military or police uniform?
MS M MOLETE: I never said the attackers were wearing such things. I said I fought against one person and two others were at the door in camouflage. I didn't fight against three of them, I fought with one of them.
MS TANZER: Yes, but the two that were camouflaged, as you described, was that civilian clothes or was it some form of a military or police uniform? - the two at the door of your home.
MS M MOLETE: I do not know or cannot distinguish between the police or the military uniform. I have on many occasions seen people wearing this uniform.
MS TANZER: Are you aware of the structure in the Boipatong/Slovo Park area, which is used as a mixed hostel or was used as a mixed hostel?
MS M MOLETE: May you repeat the question.
MS TANZER: Are you aware of a building in the Boipatong location, which was used as a mixed hostel?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, Ma'am.
MS TANZER: Is this building close to Slovo Park?
MS M MOLETE: That is so, Ma'am.
MS TANZER: Are you aware on the night of the attack that this building was also attacked? Were the inhabitants of this structure or building also attacked that night?
MS M MOLETE: I do not have knowledge of that.
MS TANZER: Were you alert to, or did you have any warning of an imminent attack on Boipatong?
MS M MOLETE: No, Ma'am.
MS TANZER: There were no rumours whatsoever that Boipatong would be attacked?
MS M MOLETE: I haven't heard of such rumours.
MS TANZER: Is the first time that you noticed the attack, when your neighbours at 17 were being attacked? Is that the first time you became aware?
MR BERGER: The was in 17.
MS TANZER: I apologise, in 19.
MS M MOLETE: It was the first time.
MS TANZER: During the attack, did you hear a lot of gunshots and bullets flying, did you hear shots being fired in Slovo Park?
MS M MOLETE: That is so.
MS TANZER: During the period May and June of '92, were you aware of the acrimony between the residents of the Kwamadala Hostel and the Boipatong location?
MS M MOLETE: I have not stayed a long time at Boipatong, I was not aware of that happening.
MS TANZER: What was the relationship - how was the relationship between your comrades of Boipatong and the residents of Slovo Park, were they also protecting Slovo Park?
MS M MOLETE: I did not stay at Slovo Park, I stayed at Amatola on the outskirts. I went to Slovo on the day of the attack.
MS TANZER: Did you notice any black people during the attack?
MS M MOLETE: That is so, Ma'am.
MS TANZER: You could not identify any of them?
MS M MOLETE: That is so, Ma'am.
MS TANZER: Now were you, on your version were you discouraged to testify at the criminal trial, by being offered R150?
MS M MOLETE: Well I cannot comment on that one, I do not know.
MS TANZER: Well what was the reason given why you were being given R150? What were you told was the reason for that money being handed over to you?
MS M MOLETE: We were not told, we only knew that was our pocket money. We would get the money at the office.
MS TANZER: So whenever you mention ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Which office?
MS M MOLETE: Except the one that we were given by Mr Strydom, we were given R10 for food and we would sign some forms.
MS TANZER: Whenever you mention the white men attacking you, in your statements, were you concealing the fact that you knew that they were actually policemen?
MS M MOLETE: I did not know whether it was a police officer or a white person because I only saw a person who came to assault or attack me.
MS TANZER: So how do you know there were policemen attacking you on that night in question?
MS M MOLETE: I have never talked of a police, I only talked of a white person, and that was stated in Pretoria.
MS TANZER: Were you ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: All you saw were these white men who came tot he house where you were.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: You don't know whether they were policemen or not?
MS M MOLETE: That is what I said.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MS TANZER: When you heard the evidence of Mr Nosenga - were you present when Mr Nosenga gave evidence?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MS TANZER: Did it become clear to you from his evidence that those white men were in fact policemen?
CHAIRPERSON: No, no, no. Did Mr Nosenga testify that the white men that she saw were policemen?
MS TANZER: No, Mr Nosenga testified that the white men that attacked that night were policemen.
CHAIRPERSON: ...(inaudible)
MS TANZER: My question is, from Nosenga's evidence - well did you hear Mr Nosenga when he gave testimony?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MS TANZER: Did you make the deduction from his testimony, that the white men that attacked you were actually policemen, members of the South African Police Force?
CHAIRPERSON: When did she say that?
MS TANZER: Mr Chair, she said that white men attacked her. I'm asking ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: But when did she make the deduction that these men were white policemen, were policemen?
MS TANZER: I'm not putting to her, I'm asking her a question whether she made a deduction of that nature. I'm not putting to her that she made the deduction, I'm asking a question whether such a deduction was made.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MS M MOLETE: When Mr Nosenga gave his testimony it has been a long time since I've made my statement.
MS TANZER: Did you want to give evidence at this criminal trial?
MS M MOLETE: No, Ma'am.
MS TANZER: Why not?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know, I was never summoned to give testimony at that criminal trial. I would not know.
MS TANZER: But did you want give evidence, did you want to testify to what you witnessed that night?
MS M MOLETE: I wanted to according to how they expected me to and I wanted to tell what I knew.
MS TANZER: Did anyone amongst you refuse to take the R150 that was being offered?
MS M MOLETE: I was the first one because I was very furious as we were being - he talked to us in a very harsh manner, but I ultimately took the money.
MS TANZER: Were you informed from where this money was coming from?
MS M MOLETE: No, Ma'am.
MS TANZER: I have no further questions, Mr Chair.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MS TANZER
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY DA SILVA: Mrs Molete, I want to clarify a number of aspects with you. I understood your evidence to be that on your version the armed vehicle you saw was a police vehicle, is that correct?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, the Hippo. Are you referring to the Hippo?
MR DA SILVA: Yes, I'm talking ...(intervention)
MS M MOLETE: That is so, Sir.
MR DA SILVA: On your version the Hippo was a police Hippo, is that right?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, Sir, that is so.
MR DA SILVA: Alright. Then Ms Tanzer asked you a question just now, it was something along the lines that the - with reference to the camouflage uniforms that you saw, she asked you: "Was this civilian clothing, military clothing or police clothing?" You didn't really answer that question, could you answer that question please.
CHAIRPERSON: She answered. She answered the question.
MR DA SILVA: Mr Chairman, she said she cannot distinguish between police and military vehicles. That was her answer. She didn't answer whether it was civilian clothing. She didn't answer the question, with respect, Mr Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON: Because my note says here:
"I have often seen people wearing this uniform."
MR DA SILVA: I'll leave it there, Mr Chairman, I'll put the question in a different way.
Is it correct that you ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: But did you want her to deal specifically with the question whether or not this was a civilian?
MR DA SILVA: Yes, that's the question that I wish to put.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR DA SILVA: Would you answer the question please.
MS M MOLETE: I did answer that question, Mr da Silva, that I usually see this at the township. I never mentioned whether it was the military or the police uniform, I said I would see these people wearing these things at the township.
MR DA SILVA: Can I ask you this, in June 1992, are you saying that the camouflage uniform that you saw or the camouflage clothes that you saw, you couldn't distinguish whether it was military or police uniform? Is that what your evidence is?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know the military clothing or the police clothing, I say the camouflage that they wore on that day I would see it at the location and people wearing such.
MR DA SILVA: The camouflage uniform that you see predominantly, what colour was it? Was it predominantly green or predominantly brown or predominantly grey?
MS M MOLETE: It was more green and more brown, brownish.
MR DA SILVA: Now when you say you can't distinguish between military uniform and police uniform, are you saying you don't know the difference?
MS M MOLETE: That is so, Sir.
MR DA SILVA: And if I put it to you that the military personnel at that stage did not wear camouflage uniform, you would not dispute that would you?
MS M MOLETE: It is because I do not know the military uniform and the police uniform. I usually see them at the location.
MR DA SILVA: The point that I'm making Mrs Molete, is if you don't know the difference, and I put it to you that the military did not wear camouflaged uniform, you won't be able to dispute that.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct there.
MR DA SILVA: My last aspect I want to clarify, you spoke about a Mr Strydom, yesterday did you see that Mr Strydom in this hall?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I did.
MR DA SILVA: Where did you see him?
MS M MOLETE: Where the gentleman is seated next to Ms Tanzer.
MR DA SILVA: Are you saying that Advocate Rean Strydom, who has been a practising advocate for 18 years, offered you R150, is that what you're saying?
MS M MOLETE: He gave us R150 each. I was not the only one who received that R150, and it is not the first time that I see Mr Strydom here. I know him.
MR DA SILVA: I don't have any further questions.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR DA SILVA
COUNSEL: I have no further questions, Mr Chairman.
NO QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY COUNSEL: Thank you, Mr Chairperson.
I just want to put something to you, Mrs Molete. I'm acting on behalf of Mr Greeff and Mr Tshaka and I want to put it to you that they were not involved in the Boipatong massacre in 1992, June 1992.
MS M MOLETE: I do not know those people, Sir.
MR BOTHA: I've got no further questions, Mr Chairperson.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR BOTHA
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Lowies, you've taken instructions now?
MR LOWIES: No, Chairman, I could not.
CHAIRPERSON: I beg your pardon?
MR LOWIES: I could not. I couldn't get hold of an interpreter and I could not get hold of Mr Strydom either.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, Mr Mapoma?
MR MAPOMA: Thank you, Chairperson, I have no questions.
NO QUESTIONS BY MR MAPOMA
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. Now how long will it take you to get that interpreter?
MR LOWIES: ...(indistinct)
INTERPRETER: The speaker is off record.
CHAIRPERSON: But how do you communicate with your client? We need to get on with - we can't allow Ms Molete to remain here the whole day and tomorrow. We need to know from you when you can get instructions from your client.
MR LOWIES: About half an hour, Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON: I beg your pardon?
MR LOWIES: About half an hour.
CHAIRPERSON: Why don't you go and take instructions from your client now?
MR LOWIES: Mr Frederech will do that.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. Do you have any re-examination at this stage?
MR BERGER: I have a short re-examination.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, very well.
MR BERGER: Should I do it?
CHAIRPERSON: Just go ahead.
RE-EXAMINATION BY MR BERGER: Ms Molete, yesterday when Mr Strydom was questioning you and he put to you that you were mistaken and that you were lying about the presence of white people in Boipatong, you said:
"Can I ask you a question, Mr Strydom?"
Do you remember that?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I do.
MR BERGER: And you were stopped from asking that question.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR BERGER: What question did you want to ask?
MS M MOLETE: It is the very question concerning Pretoria and money.
MR BERGER: The R150 and the Kentucky?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR BERGER: Why did you not testify in the criminal trial?
MS M MOLETE: I was not called.
MR BERGER: The letter that you speak about calling you to attend in Pretoria, was that a letter on a letterhead, or was it a subpoena from the court? Do you know the difference?
MS M MOLETE: They would write letters and at times we would go on different days and we would be fetched by police in State kombis.
MR BERGER: Who is the "they" who would write the letters?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know because the letters were from Pretoria. When the police come they would tell us to prepare ourselves as the next day we would be going to Pretoria and we would be a group there.
MR BERGER: And is that how you went to Pretoria on those three separate occasions?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
MR BERGER: Were you confused at all during the attack?
MS M MOLETE: That is so.
MR BERGER: What confused you?
MS M MOLETE: I was confused by the attack that I did not know the cause of and as I looked at my child I would ask myself that my child was not born disabled and today she is disabled, and I'm asking myself, since I cannot work now, who is going to fend for her and who is going to bring her up, what kind of upbringing would she have.
MR BERGER: So your confusion relates to the question; why did this happen to me and my family and to my child? Is that the confusion?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
MR BERGER: Do you have any doubt that you were attacked by a white man?
MS M MOLETE: I have no doubt, I saw this with my own eyes.
MR BERGER: Do you have any doubt that you saw two policemen, two white men in camouflage uniforms?
MS M MOLETE: I have no doubt, I saw them.
MR BERGER: Do you have any doubt that you saw a Hippo?
MS M MOLETE: I have no doubt, I saw it Sir.
MR BERGER: When you ran or when you went to your sister's house, Phuleng, where did you find her?
MS M MOLETE: I found her in her house in the bedroom. She was hiding and very much in shock.
MR BERGER: Did you at any stage see Phuleng outside of her shack?
MS M MOLETE: I did not see her, she has always been inside.
MR BERGER: Thank you, Ms Molete, I have no further questions.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR BERGER
MR LAX: Thank you, Chairperson.
There was one aspect just now that you gave while you were being questioned, it was around the issue of whether you wanted to give evidence in the criminal trial and you answered that you want to give evidence "... according to how they expected me to do so."
Those were the words you used, what did you mean by that?
MS M MOLETE: I wanted to tell the head I have inside and state what I have observed.
MR LAX: Yes, but did anybody expect anything from you?
MS M MOLETE: I do not have knowledge of that, Sir.
MR LAX: Thank you, Chairperson. Sorry if I may, Chair, just one other thing.
You said you'd seen this uniform, this camouflage uniform on many occasions in the township.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
MR LAX: Who was wearing it on those occasions?
MS M MOLETE: I would see people passing by in this uniform. A lot of people in the township wear this uniform.
MR LAX: Were they just ordinary people?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
MR LAX: So what I'm trying to understand, was it a form of uniform like a security guard or a policeman or a military person, or was it just a style of clothing that civilians would wear? That's what I'm trying to understand.
MS M MOLETE: As I observed on a daily basis, people wear these things and other are not employed. I would not know whether it would be a style of wearing or they previously worked for the military or not.
MR LAX: Thanks.
ADV SIGODI: You mentioned that you resided at house number 717 in Amatola Street.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Ma'am.
ADV SIGODI: Alright. And what time did you leave your house to go and visit your sister, on the 17th?
MS M MOLETE: We left at 3 o'clock with our luggage.
ADV SIGODI: Were you aware that at that time that there was teargas in the township, being fired at some of the Special Defence Unit people?
MS M MOLETE: If that happened I do not know. It might have been taking place at the centre of the location, but Amatola is more on the outskirts of the location, towards the firms.
ADV SIGODI: Were you aware that there were any trenches being dug in your side of the, in your area?
MS M MOLETE: I only saw one along in Bafokeng Street.
ADV SIGODI: Did you know why these trenches were being dug?
MS M MOLETE: No, Ma'am.
CHAIRPERSON: Did you say that you don't know why the trenches were being dug?
MS M MOLETE: I said so. I say no, I saw one and I passed thereby as I took my child to creche.
ADV SIGODI: How long had you being staying in Boipatong?
MS M MOLETE: It was the third year. The third year that I have been living in Boipatong.
ADV SIGODI: Were you aware of the presence of Self Defence Units in the township?
MS M MOLETE: I did not know Ma'am, I have heard it being mentioned here, because during weekends we would leave.
ADV SIGODI: How many children do you have?
MS M MOLETE: It is Mita.
ADV SIGODI: And how old was your husband at that time?
MS M MOLETE: We were equals and 36 years old each.
ADV SIGODI: We have heard evidence that men would be called out to go and guard the township during those days because the people were aware that the streets would have to be guarded. Was your husband never called to go and guard out?
MS M MOLETE: He worked night shifts and he was not that used to these people at the township.
CHAIRPERSON: Had your husband been there for three years, just like yourself?
MS M MOLETE: He came afterwards. He came there to work for about two years and three months. We started staying there at Amatola and I resided at my brother's place.
CHAIRPERSON: And out of that period he had been working night shift?
MS M MOLETE: During the attack he was still working night shifts.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
ADV SIGODI: Were you aware of any people being necklaced in the township? Had you heard such rumours?
MS M MOLETE: We would leave for home during weekends. When he was off weekends we would leave for home in Carltonville.
CHAIRPERSON: No, no, what you're being asked is, are you aware of any people who were necklaced in the township?
MS M MOLETE: I have not seen such people.
ADV SIGODI: Did you hear about that?
MS M MOLETE: No, I would stay in the yard the whole day and I would not walk around a lot, therefore I did not hear a lot of things.
ADV SIGODI: In other words, you were not aware of any tension that prevailed in the township?
MS M MOLETE: That is so, Ma'am.
ADV SIGODI: Why did you go to visit your sister on that day?
MS M MOLETE: We were moving out of that place, that is why we left for her place because we were still scouting for a place to stay.
CHAIRPERSON: Had you left your residence at Amatola Road?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, that is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: So whilst you were with your sister you were in the process of looking for some other accommodation?
MS M MOLETE: We were going to scout for a place to stay. We would briefly stay with her and scout for a place to stay from the street committees in that area.
CHAIRPERSON: I see. And who were these street committees?
MS M MOLETE: I had not known them at that time because the very day we had just arrived, unfortunately in the evening we were attacked.
CHAIRPERSON: But what the street committees do?
MS M MOLETE: We did not go to them. The day we arrived was the day of the attack. We were not able to meet with the street committee. We left at about three from Amatola, taking our belongings to our sister's place. That day when we were supposed to meet the street committee we were attacked.
CHAIRPERSON: Were the street committees responsible for allocating accommodation within the township?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
ADV SIGODI: So you mentioned that this house where you were staying, was it your brother's house, at 717 Amatola Street?
MS M MOLETE: ...(no English interpretation)
MR LAX: Sorry, we're not getting the interpretation.
MS M MOLETE: We were renting out the garage at 717 Amatola Street.
ADV SIGODI: So there was another family in the main house?
MS M MOLETE: The Mokobos resided in the main house.
ADV SIGODI: And the children, were the children in that main house?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
ADV SIGODI: Young men?
MS M MOLETE: Only daughters. It was the father, the mother and their daughters and the grandchild.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you. The time now is about 11 o'clock, shall we take an adjournment and we'll come back at half past eleven.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
ON RESUMPTION
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR LOWIES: (Cont)
Thank you, Chairperson. May I proceed with my cross-examination?
Ma'am, I would like to put the following to you; at page 3724 of the criminal trial, in the judgment the Honourable Mr Justice Smith gave the, or summarised the defence of my clients and the other accused as follows: he stated that - and I want to interrupt myself, he states - this is still my instruction, he stated that the applicants and the accused in that matter heard rumours that there may have been police involvement and as a result they even called two witnesses to prove police complicity, although at all relevant times they denied knowledge of this themselves.
CHAIRPERSON: Well as I understand the case at the criminal trial, it was an alibi.
MR LOWIES: That's correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Right. However, attempts were made on behalf of the applicants to establish that the attack was carried out by either the white men or the police, the police officers.
MR LOWIES: That's correct, Mr Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON: And they led evidence to that effect.
MR LOWIES: They called two witnesses.
CHAIRPERSON: Who claim that they saw police during the attack?
MR LOWIES: That's correct. The witnesses were Selo and Mabuza.
CHAIRPERSON: Selo ...?
MR LOWIES: The one Selo and a certain Abudnego Mabuza. Do you know - may I proceed, sorry Chair.
CHAIRPERSON: Well I think it's been a long question, but let me, tell me if this is not accurate. What's being put to you is the following: at the criminal trial the accused, and I assume that includes the applicants ...
MR LOWIES: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: ... denied that they had taken part in the attack. Do you understand that?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know that, Sir.
CHAIRPERSON: No, but do you understand what I'm saying? Do you hear what I am saying?
MS M MOLETE: I hear, Sir.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. On their behalf evidence was led, that is of two witnesses, Selo and Mabuza, who gave evidence to the effect that there were police during the attack. Do you understand what I've just put to you?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I hear.
MR LOWIES: Do you know Mr Abudnego Mabusa? I said Mabusa, it's Mabuza, sorry.
MS M MOLETE: Where does he stay, Sir?
MR LOWIES: He resides in Boipatong if I'm not mistaken.
MS M MOLETE: ...(no English interpretation)
MR LOWIES: I did not catch you.
MS M MOLETE: I do not know the person.
MR LOWIES: But let me refresh your memory. You were specifically called into the court by Judge Smith with Mr Mabuza and various other people, can you recall that?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know Mr Smith.
MR LOWIES: And I would like to put the following to you, you may not know the judge's name but at the criminal trial you were requested with Mr Abudnego Mabuza, to enter into the court as a result of something which Advocate Botha raised with the Judge, and you were asked certain questions. I'll get to those questions just now, but do you remember such an incident?
MS M MOLETE: I have never been with Mr Mabuza.
CHAIRPERSON: But do you recall that at some point during the trial you were called into the courtroom?
MS M MOLETE: It is because I have never been called into court. I have always been there with my child. I don't know about those who went into court.
MR LOWIES: Well let me fresh ...(intervention)
MR LAX: Sorry Mr Lowies, if I could just ask a question. Just for my own understanding, this incident where the judge called these people in, was this in Delmas or was it in Pretoria, where was it?
MR LOWIES: According to the record, and I could be wrong, at page 3208, if I read it in conjunction with everything it must have been in Pretoria, Mr Chairman.
Do you recall?
MS M MOLETE: I said that I have never been called into court.
MR LOWIES: Chair, I have a problem with my hearing device. Sorry, I apologise.
Now I'd like to read to you certain aspects that is the case of the applicants in this matter, and you'll find it at page 3208 and further, or the record. Advocate Botha started off by stating that there are certain defence witnesses which he, on behalf of the accused and the applicants wanted to consult with and he raised the problem that you were one of them, but you did not want to consult with him and the other lawyers because you received an instruction from the ANC not to talk to anybody.
MS M MOLETE: That is not so, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Not to talk to anybody regarding the Boipatong matter ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: No you see what - you've got to listen very carefully, what he is reading to you is what the advocate told the judge in court. Now do you know anything about that conversation which took place between the judge and Advocate Botha?
MS M MOLETE: I said that is not so.
MR LOWIES: And is it not so that you did not want to talk to the defence witnesses, the defence advocates which included Mr Strydom? It was Botha, Strydom and van Eck.
MS M MOLETE: There were no other people, it was only Mr Strydom that we talked to the last time I went there.
MR LOWIES: And the record reads further at page 3209, that you were called into the court, 3209 and 3210, the third line. And you were called in inter alia with Florence Molete, Jeannette Monisi, Rebecca Motahung.
CHAIRPERSON: ...(inaudible)
MR LOWIES: I'm sorry, Chair, I'll repeat.
It was yourself, Florence Molete, according to the record, Jane Monisi, Rebecca Motahung, Diamond Latha, Johanna Tsoatetsi and Joshua Mahlango and Simon Moloi.
MR LAX: Sorry, what was the name after Tsoatetsi, if you're repeat that for me please.
MR LOWIES: Diamond Latha; L-A-T-H-A and then Joshua Mahlango, Simon Moloi. And then the court checked whether you were there. He even called Abudnego Mabuza closer. That you see at page 3210. Can you recall such an incident?
MS M MOLETE: I do not remember us being called into court.
MR LOWIES: And then the judge instructed the interpreter as follows:
"Tell them that I'm busy hearing a matter which emanates as a result of an attack at Boipatong on 17 June 1992."
It goes on, that's the judge. He says:
"I am informed by one of the advocates for the defence that they were summonsed to appear here and to possibly give evidence after being consulted ..."
...(intervention)
MS M MOLETE: I object to that, I have never been called into court.
MR LOWIES: Well the record reflects you were there. And then the judge went on to state:
"I'm further informed that some of you told the advocate that you are not prepared to consult with him because you were instructed by representatives of the ANC not to talk to anybody about the case."
And then he said:
"Is that so?"
The record reads that everybody, including yourself, replied that:
"This is correct."
MS M MOLETE: I have never met with the representatives of the ANC. I have always been a person who was not involved in such organisations.
CHAIRPERSON: No, no, no, you see what you're being asked here is what transpired inside court. What counsel is - he is reading he tells us, from a record of the proceedings in court, which indicates that you were called into court and the questions that he's just mentioned were put to you and those whose names he has mentioned. Do you deny that it happened?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I deny that fact.
MR LOWIES: Then the judge went further.
"Is everybody satisfied that this is so?"
And the record reads:
"All the witness (which includes yourself) reply in the affirmative."
MS M MOLETE: I do not know of such facts, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Now to be fair to you, at a later stage there was a dissent amongst people and one or two of them raised this fact that they did not agree. But the point is, at a stage the record reflects that this happened and you were instructed, according to what you informed the judge, not to talk with the defence lawyers. My question now is, did you ever refuse to talk to either Mr Strydom or Advocate Botha or any other lawyer acting for the applicants?
MS M MOLETE: The person that I talked to, we talked to was Mr Strydom. I have never refused to do that. And the police that I have talked to was Kekana.
MR LOWIES: Did Mr Strydom talk to you personally, you?
MS M MOLETE: He never talked to me alone, we were all in a group of people that I have mentioned. I still remember that.
MR LOWIES: And did he ask you whether you know, and I'm talking about the group, you member of the group, whether you know of any police complicity or white people who took part in the attack in Boipatong?
MS M MOLETE: I said he talked to us harshly and looked through our statements as he talked back to us. He himself and then he continued, stated that, starting talking to us.
MR LOWIES: Did he talk to you about the police being involved and white people being involved? That is the question.
MS M MOLETE: I said he stated that his people told him that white people and the police were involved, but today they are left alone.
MR LOWIES: And did you say to him you know that police were involved?
MS M MOLETE: I did not talk to him about the police.
MR LOWIES: Because the law as it was in 1993, did not allow Mr Strydom to have access to your statement and it is denied that anybody had access to your statement during the criminal trial.
MS M MOLETE: He had books in his possession and he came out to talk to us, asking us our names, telling us about our statements.
MR LAX: Sorry, Mr Lowies, are you - just I'm thinking about it myself as you're putting it: "the law said that ...", are you quite sure that the law didn't allow accused access to statements at that stage? I'm pretty sure it did, but there were a number of decisions that opened that issue round about that time. I don't have the specifics in my head, but ...
MR LOWIES: ...(indistinct). My instructions are clear. I'll argue this later I think ...(intervention)
MR LAX: No problem, I just wanted to make sure that you were sure in your own mind, that's all.
MR LOWIES: I have not a shadow of doubt, Sir. ...(no microphone). Sorry, Mr Berger?
MR BERGER: Well Chairperson, I was going to say that when witnesses - my understanding was, when witness were made available by the State to the defence, then the State had a discretion whether or not to give the defence copies of the witnesses' statements.
CHAIRPERSON: But they were not as a matter of right, entitled to those statements?
MR BERGER: Not as a matter of course, no.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, yes.
MR LOWIES: And therefore I would like to put the following to you, and it's also my case, Mr Strydom definitely did not have a statement of any of the potential witnesses in his possession. Can you dispute this? And if I say Strydom, I'm talking about him and all the other defence advocates, not only him. Can you dispute this?
MS M MOLETE: I dispute that because it was him who came in possession of these documents.
MR LOWIES: Can you describe this document, how do you know it was a statement, how do you know it was not just a pad like this, a writing pad?
MS M MOLETE: He had a bag and those papers in his hands, these brown bags with folios and then he would close it. I still remember that bag.
MR LOWIES: Yes, but how do you know your statement was in there, or did you just assume because he had this bag and he had papers, this must be your statement?
MS M MOLETE: I said to you, Sir, he asked us each our names and I did not say he had all the statements of us, he had a bag and papers that he had in his hand.
MR LOWIES: And I would like to put the following to you; the whole purpose why Advocate Botha, and this clear from the record, why Advocate Botha raised this aspect with the judge in Pretoria, was they wanted to get somebody who could tell them that there was police involvement.
MS M MOLETE: I do not know, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Your version however, is the following; you said he paid you money to deny police involvement.
MS M MOLETE: I never mentioned police, I mentioned white people and those who stood at the door.
CHAIRPERSON: Ms Molete, let me explain to you in this manner. You've told us, amongst other things, that you were paid this R150 so that you could not testify. At some point you said that, although at some point you also told us that you didn't know why you were given this money. Now what Mr Lowies is putting to you is this; the reason why the group of people were called into court, which included yourself, we know you've denied that, was to get someone from that group to come and give evidence to the effect that there were either policemen or white people during the attack. And the import of this is to suggest to you that it cannot possibly be true that you were paid so that you should not give evidence to the effect that there were white men who weren't police officers, during the attack. Do you understand that?
MS M MOLETE: It is now that I understand, Sir. I do not have knowledge on that point.
MR LOWIES: Can I summarise? Mr Strydom never wanted you to deny that there were white people involved in Boipatong.
MS M MOLETE: I do not know, Sir.
MR LOWIES: If you do not know, you cannot say that he wanted to deny that there were white people, correct?
MS M MOLETE: The manner in which he stated it, he said to us his people have been left in the dark. He said that the police and the white people were involved, now his people are left alone. That is why he said we must deny that.
MR LOWIES: So he said you must deny that, is that your version?
MS M MOLETE: I said Mr Strydom gave us this as our pocket money. He stated that he does not deny that white people and the police were involved according to his people, but today his people have been disowned, they've been left alone. I did not say that he paid us not to disclose that as a fact.
MR LOWIES: Okay, now let's leave the pay out. He also did not want you to keep quiet regarding white people who were there, he wanted the opposite, not so? This is a question.
MS M MOLETE: May you please repeat that question, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Mr Strydom did not want you to keep quiet about white people, not so?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know, Sir.
MR LOWIES: Right. And it may be that you were paid witness fees, but not by Strydom.
MS M MOLETE: I know witness fee to be R10. We would go to the office and sign for them. We did not sign for this one.
MR LOWIES: For the R150 that he paid seven people each?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, that is correct. ...(no English interpretation)
MR LAX: Sorry, Mr Interpreter, we're not getting you again, perhaps you need to press ...
INTERPRETER: He sent the two of us previously to go and buy a barrel of food and some rolls, bread rolls.
MR LOWIES: No, but that does not cost R150 to each, which is denied.
CHAIRPERSON: I'm not too sure what purpose will be served if you begin to argue with the witness. I think you should just put facts to her. If she denies those facts, let's move onto the other questions.
MR LOWIES: Is it your version that each and every one of those people received R150 from Mr Strydom, each and every one of them?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
MR LOWIES: But you do not know why he gave the R150 to each and every one?
MS M MOLETE: I said he has just stated to us this fact. After we have had our lunch we were given those R150 each. We took that as our pocket money.
MR LOWIES: And I want to suggest to you the following; you are trying to incriminate the applicants by stating that there were white people, it's not so. - white people on the night of the attack on Boipatong.
CHAIRPERSON: Well I didn't hear her mentioning any one of the applicants. She has not mentioned any name. As far as I recall her evidence she could not identify any of the attackers, both white and black.
MR LOWIES: It's a matter of argument, but I'll rephrase it then.
Your version that there were white people on the night of the attack is something that you have decided out of your own accord, it's not true.
MS M MOLETE: That is not so.
MR LOWIES: Alternatively I put it to you that somebody told you that you must come and say that there were white people involved.
MS M MOLETE: Nobody said that to me. I saw this with my own eyes.
MR LOWIES: And I want to put it to you that you are twisting your evidence in order to reflect badly on the applicants' case. An example is the fact that you created the impression that Mr Strydom did not want you to give evidence regarding white ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Lowies, that's a matter for argument.
MR LOWIES: Well I - she can answer to that, but if you say I can't answer it I'll leave it.
And I want to put it to you Madam, that your evidence relating to what happened on this specific day where Mr Strydom spoke to you is not correct, the correct version has been put to you.
MS M MOLETE: I do not know Sir, that is how you put it.
MR LOWIES: Did you on the day when you were called into court, see an attorney by the name of Caroline Nichols?
MS M MOLETE: I said I have never been into court to give testimony.
MR LOWIES: On the day when you spoke to Mr Strydom, on your version, did you see an attorney by the name of Caroline Nichols?
MS M MOLETE: I said we were in a room and Mr Strydom entered whilst we were in there, not in court, Sir.
MR LOWIES: My question is simple, did you on that day at all, it doesn't matter where, see Attorney Caroline Nichols?
MS M MOLETE: I have not seen her.
MR LOWIES: Did you know her at that stage?
MS M MOLETE: I do not know her.
MR LOWIES: Did you meet her afterwards?
MS M MOLETE: I have not met the lady attorney.
MR LOWIES: Ms Cambanis next to you?
MS M MOLETE: I knew her late last year.
MR LOWIES: I have no further questions.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR LOWIES
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Berger, is there anything arising from this questioning?
MR BERGER: Nothing Chair, thank you.
NO QUESTIONS BY MR BERGER
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you. Could I have the record please, could I have the record that you've been reading from? Is it marked, do you have notes on it?
MR LOWIES: No, no.
CHAIRPERSON: You say this is page ...
MR LOWIES: It starts at 3207.
CHAIRPERSON: You mentioned that when you went to Pretoria there were seven of you, is that right? - that you were called by Mr Strydom.
MS M MOLETE: I said I remembered seven.
CHAIRPERSON: Was Florence Molete amongst those?
MS M MOLETE: That is correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Jeannette Mnisi?
MS M MOLETE: Correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Rebecca Motahung?
MS M MOLETE: Correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Diamond Latha?
MS M MOLETE: I said I do not remember who they were. I never mentioned that name.
CHAIRPERSON: No, no, no-one is suggesting you mentioned that name, I'm simply asking you, do you know Diamond Latha?
MS M MOLETE: Yes, I know him.
CHAIRPERSON: Was he amongst that group?
MS M MOLETE: I cannot remember.
CHAIRPERSON: Johannes Tsoatetsi?
MS M MOLETE: I remember Johanna Tsoatetsi, not Johannes.
CHAIRPERSON: Johanna Tsoatetsi.
MS M MOLETE: That is correct, Johanna Tsoatetsi.
CHAIRPERSON: Joshua Mahlango?
MS M MOLETE: I just know the surname, Mahlango.
CHAIRPERSON: Was he in the group?
MS M MOLETE: ...(no English interpretation)
CHAIRPERSON: Simon Moloi?
MS M MOLETE: Correct.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes. Very well, Ms Molete, you may stand down. Just before you stand down, I assume like all the other victims, she completed the necessary form for the ...
MR BERGER: She has, Chairperson. We had a whole bundle of forms here for you yesterday and unfortunately overnight they got left in the wrong boot, so ... We'll bring them for you tomorrow.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright. As long as I have the assurance that each one of those who come and testify ...
MR BERGER: Has filled out a from, yes.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, very well. Yes you may stand down, thank you.
WITNESS EXCUSED
MR BERGER: Chairperson, my learned friend, Ms Cambanis will lead the next witness.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, very well.
MS CAMBANIS: Thank you, Chair. The next witness is Mrs Buwa, Elsie Buwa.
MACHINE SWITCHED OFF
MS BUWA: I am Xhosa.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay.
ADV SIGODI: Do you have a reason not to take the oath?
MS BUWA: I do not hear you properly.
COMMITTEE DISCUSS CHANNELS
MS BUWA: I am Xhosa.
ADV SIGODI: I said do you have a reason not to want to take the oath?
MS BUWA: Please repeat.
ADV SIGODI: Please give us your full names.
ELSIE BUWA: (sworn states)
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you.
PROBLEMS WITH INTERPRETATION
CHAIRPERSON: I'm trying to establish, Ms Cambanis, whether we do have an interpreter who can interpret from Xhosa into English and visa versa.
Mr Interpreter, do you understand Xhosa?
INTERPRETER: Generally yes, Chairperson, we do understand Xhosa but we were just concerned that at a certain point we might not ...
CHAIRPERSON: Would you just repeat that, I didn't get that.
INTERPRETER: I said generally we do understand Xhosa, but we were just concerned that there may be a certain aspects of the evidence which may prove difficult. So that if we do get stuck it may be a problem, but we may proceed.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, very well. Well we can assure you that we will keep a check on what you say.
Ms Cambanis, I am informed by the interpreters that although they are not fluent in Xhosa they do understand Xhosa and if they get stuck, because of certain words, they will indicate that and my colleague, Advocate Sigodi and myself do understand Xhosa as well. But if you have any objection to us proceeding, the witness would have to stand down and perhaps you can call another witness and we can see whether we can arrange some other interpreter.
MS CAMBANIS: Chair, we have no objection, we'd like to proceed.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, very well.
MS CAMBANIS: Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, very well. If you get stuck, would you please indicate to us?
INTERPRETER: Yes, Chairperson, will do.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, very well.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MS CAMBANIS: Thank you, Chair.
Mrs Buwa, on the 17th of June 1992, were you ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: No, wait a minute. She has to, Ma'am, otherwise she is not going to hear the interpretation.
PROBLEMS WITH EARPHONES
MS CAMBANIS: Thank you very much, Chair.
Mrs Buwa, on the 17th of June 1992, were you a resident of Boipatong township?
MS BUWA: Yes.
MS CAMBANIS: At what address were you living on that day?
MS BUWA: 807 Bafokeng Street.
MS CAMBANIS: Would you please proceed to tell the Committee what happened during the course of that evening at your house?
MS BUWA: We were asleep in the evening. As I awoke I heard gunshots ...(intervention)
ADV SIGODI: Sorry, sorry. Mrs Buwa, we would like you to speak loudly so that we can hear, we'd like to hear your Xhosa version as well, thank you.
MS BUWA: Yes, I will try although I do not have a high voice. I have a problem with my head, it usually gives me problems if I speak too loudly.
CHAIRPERSON: Are you in a position to testify?
MS BUWA: Yes, I can testify.
CHAIRPERSON: Alright.
MS CAMBANIS: Alright. Mrs Buwa, you said that:
"We were asleep at the house"
Who is the "we" that you are referring to?
MS BUWA: Myself and the children.
MS CAMBANIS: Please tell the Committee who the children were, are.
MS BUWA: ... the eldest is Gladys, then Miriam, Mavis. I was sleeping with these children in the bedroom.
MS CAMBANIS: Sorry, Mrs Buwa, before you proceed, you were sleeping with these three persons in one room, were there other people at your home that night?
MS BUWA: Yes there were other people sleeping in other bedrooms.
MS CAMBANIS: Please tell us the names of the other people and which rooms they were in, as far as you know.
MS BUWA: My other children, my sons were in their bedroom because there were three bedrooms in the house. My son, John Buwa was in another room together with his wife.
MS CAMBANIS: Tell us the name of his wife please.
MS BUWA: I forget her name. She's Martha, Martha Buwa.
MS CAMBANIS: Okay. In the third room, was there anyone present that night in the third room in your home?
MS BUWA: Yes, there were sons or boys sleeping in that room that night.
MS CAMBANIS: Do you remember who they were, Mr Buwa?
MS BUWA: Yes, I do remember. The first one is James Buwa, the second is Victor Buwa, the third is Phillip Buwa and the fourth one is Harry Buwa, my youngest son.
MS CAMBANIS: Harry.
CHAIRPERSON: Did you say Henry?
MS CAMBANIS: Harry.
CHAIRPERSON: Harry, yes very well, sorry. This is the youngest is it?
MS BUWA: He's my youngest some.
MS CAMBANIS: Okay. Mrs Buwa, then you've told the Committee that you were asleep in your room with the children when you were awoken by gunshots, is that correct? - by the sound of gunshots.
MS BUWA: That is correct.
MS CAMBANIS: Please tell the Committee what happened after you heard the sounds.
MS BUWA: After that gunshot I woke up and I hid some of the children. After the children had hidden I sat on top of the bed, I did not hide myself. I was confused as to what was happening, why was this gunfire.
People came into the house, three persons. They came into my bedroom ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Sorry, could you just slow down so that we can take down the notes, Ma'am.
MS BUWA: Okay.
CHAIRPERSON: I'll tell you where I am now.
"I stayed on top ....". "After the children had hidden I stayed on top of the bed"
Yes, right?
MS BUWA: As I sat on top of the bed three people entered the room. I saw the first person, I recognised the one person, but I did not know the other two.
MS CAMBANIS: Who did you recognise?
MS BUWA: It was Zulu, we call him Zulu. That is how we call him in the township.
MS CAMBANIS: Who is that?
MS BUWA: I've recently heard that he's Vanana Zulu, but we just called him Zulu.
MS CAMBANIS: Okay. Mrs Buwa, you say the first person that you recognised was Mr Vanana Zulu, what was he doing? What did he do? What happened?
MS BUWA: They just entered the room and started assaulting us. They assaulted me on the head. I fell onto the ground. After I'd fallen one grandchild came into the room looking for his mother ...(intervention)
MR LAX: Can you just slow down a little bit please. Sorry, we're just struggling to take it all in. You said you were hit on the head, you fell on the ground. Then after that?
MS BUWA: One grandchild that high, came into the room. The grandchild was running to me. They hit the grandchild on the head and as I raised my hand they hurt my finger and the grandchild ran to me.
MS CAMBANIS: Just slow ... Thank you, Chair. Can we just go back. Mrs Buwa you said three people entered the room, one of whom you recognised as Vanana Zulu.
MS BUWA: Yes.
MS CAMBANIS: Is there any further information you can give the Committee regarding the other two people? Were they male people that came in, any information?
MS BUWA: They were male, but I did not know them.
MS CAMBANIS: And were any of the three people carrying anything?
MS BUWA: They were armed because they hacked Mavis on the head. They hacked her. She had a blanket on her head and her blanket was stuck on the head, it had to be removed at the hospital.
MS CAMBANIS: Did you see which of the three persons did this to Mavis?
MS BUWA: Excuse me?
MS CAMBANIS: Which of the three people did this to Mavis, did you see?
MS BUWA: It was between the two, because Mr Zulu was by my side.
MS CAMBANIS: Yes. And the person that, you said you were also attacked, is that correct?
MS BUWA: Yes. As I raised my hand to try to reach my grandchild, Mr Zulu said: "You are still alive, I thought you were dead". He hit me, assaulted me again, hacking me.
MR LAX: Sorry, I didn't catch the last part of what the interpreter said, could you just repeat that please?
INTERPRETER: Which part?
MR LAX: "He hit me ..." and then something else, I'm afraid it sounded a bit mumbled to me. I didn't catch the last bit.
INTERPRETER: The witness said Mr Zulu assaulted her again, and in fact she specified that he hacked her.
CHAIRPERSON: With what?
MS BUWA: He was carrying something. I'm not sure whether it was a panga, but it was a black, it was black on the handle.
MS CAMBANIS: Mrs Buwa, you said that Mr Vanana Zulu asked you: "Are you still alive?"
MS BUWA: Yes, he said: "I thought you were dead, you are still able to protect the children".
MS CAMBANIS: Had you known Mr Zulu for some time before that evening?
MS BUWA: I know him. His in-law's house is in our street, the Motho's. He would even take our children to the hostel to perform a dance, a traditional dance.
MS CAMBANIS: Besides that, do you recall him saying anything else to you?
MS BUWA: As they were leaving he insulted me and kicked me on the head and said: "Die you dogs". That is when they were leaving my house. And as he was outside he shouted, he said: "Come out you comrades, we have arrived".
MS CAMBANIS: Mrs Buwa, can I just clear this. After you were attacked you said your grandchild came running into the room, is that right?
MS BUWA: Yes, he came into our bedroom.
MS CAMBANIS: And then what happened?
MS BUWA: The grandchild was looking for his mother and his mother was hiding in the wardrobe that is in my bedroom.
MS CAMBANIS: Yes, and then?
MS BUWA: They hacked me on my finger as I was trying to reach out for the child.
MS CAMBANIS: Anything else that happened, Mrs Buwa?
MS BUWA: They left the house and as we later realised, some people had removed property from the house. On that night we realised that they had taken all blankets as well as items of clothing that were in my son's and his wife's wardrobe.
MS CAMBANIS: Anything else? They took the blankets, they took the clothes, anything else, Mrs Buwa?
MS BUWA: The TV and the hi-fi stereo was also removed.
MS CAMBANIS: And was there any damage done to your home that evening?
MS BUWA: The big windows were all broken and they entered through the windows. The doors were too strong for them to open so they came in through the big windows.
MS CAMBANIS: Mrs Buwa, can you please tell the Committee, who do you know that was injured in your home that night, amongst your family members?
MS BUWA: Myself and Mavis were injured.
MS CAMBANIS: Thank you, nothing further Mrs Buwa.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MS CAMBANIS
CHAIRPERSON: We intend taking the lunch adjournment at this stage and then coming back at half past one and then we will take a tea adjournment at about three and another tea adjournment at about five - I beg your pardon, we'll adjourn at five, I'm sorry. We adjourn at five. Yes, very well.
Mrs Buwa, we're taking lunch now, we'll come back at half past one.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
ON RESUMPTION
CHAIRPERSON: Mrs Buwa, may I remind you that you're still under oath.
ELSIE BUWA: (s.u.o.)
CHAIRPERSON: If you can, could you just speak up.
MS BUWA: Yes, I will try.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, Mr Strydom?
MR STRYDOM: Thank you, Chairperson, I haven't got any questions.
NO QUESTIONS BY MR STRYDOM
CHAIRPERSON: Do you have any questions, Mr Lowies?
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR LOWIES: Yes, thank you, Chairman.
Mrs Buwa, how far would you say - sorry, I retract. Do you know Mr Wilson Baloyi?
MS BUWA: Yes, I know him.
MR LOWIES: How far is your house from his?
MS BUWA: Baloyi's house is on the other side of the street, just in front of my house.
MR LOWIES: Can you show the distance or is it not possible for you, from where you're sitting? - indicate a distance.
MS BUWA: It's not a long distance, from where I am sitting I just cross the street and then get into Baloyi's household.
CHAIRPERSON: Are you able to indicate the distance to us, by indicating for example, from where you are to this table or to the other table there of to some point in the hall? Are you able to do that?
MS BUWA: It's not a long distance. From where I am pointing to the table I just cross the street, because my dining-room door is facing Baloyi's house.
CHAIRPERSON: That distance is about what, is it 12 - no, no, seven.
MR CAMBANIS: I wouldn't agree with that, Chair, I have no idea, I'm sorry.
MR LOWIES: It was measured by my learned friend as seven on a previous occasion.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, I think it was seven.
MS BUWA: I don't know, you see I am not educated. I've never been to school.
CHAIRPERSON: We understand that.
MR LOWIES: Mrs Buwa, I see that you were already asleep on the night of the incident, when you heard a shot. My question is, was the light in the room on or off when you went to sleep?
MS BUWA: Should I answer? It was - the lights were on. The whole house actually. They actually switched on the lights in all the rooms.
ADV SIGODI: I thought the question was; were the lights on or off when you went to sleep?
MS BUWA: Yes, the lights were off.
MR LOWIES: What lights do you have at this specific place, do you have electric lights or did you have electric lights on the night of the incident?
MS BUWA: We are using electric lights, the whole house.
MR LOWIES: Now when did you become aware of the presence of somebody inside the room where you were, how did it happen?
MS BUWA: I did say earlier on that these people walked into the room as I was sitting on the bed.
MR LOWIES: Did you try to hide yourself?
MS BUWA: I did not, instead I tried to hide the children.
MR LOWIES: Where did you try to hide the children?
MS BUWA: Some of them were under the bed and my last-born child has had this baby and I hid this baby behind the wardrobe. - the baby and mother actually.
MR LOWIES: And you were sitting on the bed when they entered?
MS BUWA: Yes, I sat on the bed because I had nowhere to go, so they would rather kill me.
MR LOWIES: And I take it that you didn't want them to see what was going on inside the bedroom, is that correct? That's why you also hid the children under the bed.
MS BUWA: I was confused as to what was happening because there was shooting going on.
MR LOWIES: But you must have realised that something serious ...(intervention)
ADV SIGODI: Sorry, I think the interpretation, a more accurate interpretation is she said ...(Xhosa), which would be:
"I was wondering"
Not that:
"I was confused"
It gives a different meaning.
INTERPRETER: Thank you, Chairperson.
MR LOWIES: Now you were wondering whether you were confused?
CHAIRPERSON: No, no.
MS BUWA: I was wondering.
ADV SIGODI: ... what was happening.
MR LOWIES: Just shows you what could have happened at Babel, Mr Chairman. I'm sorry, I apologise.
Did you know at that stage that you were under attack, when you hid the children, or did you just do it as a precaution?
MS BUWA: I did not know what was going on, so I just decided to hide the children because I did not know what was going on.
MR LOWIES: And I take it that you did not switch the light on so that you could be seen by the attackers?
MS BUWA: The lights were off. It is the people who switched on the lights when they came in.
MR LOWIES: So when they came in, the attackers switched the lights on?
MS BUWA: Yes, they are the ones who switched the lights on.
MR LOWIES: Was Zulu one of them - was Zulu the person or was it one of the others?
MS BUWA: He is the one who switched the lights on because he was in the forefront.
MR LOWIES: And he knew you were residing there, is that correct? He knew you well, on your version.
MS BUWA: He knows me very well, he knows we stay there.
MR LOWIES: And the lights 3340 on all the time during the attack or was it switched off at a stage?
MS BUWA: The lights were never off, they had always been on during the attack.
MR LOWIES: And when they left, was it still on?
MS BUWA: Yes, when they left the lights were still on.
MR LOWIES: Who is John Buwa?
MS BUWA: He is my son.
MR LOWIES: Did you see him that night?
MS BUWA: He came with the children that he had been running away with.
MR LOWIES: After the attack?
MS BUWA: That was after these attackers had left he then came.
MR LOWIES: Did you see how the attackers entered into the house?
MS BUWA: They came in through the windows because the windows you see were huge enough and the door would not yield when they tried to break it.
MR LOWIES: Yes, but did you see this actually happening or was it just the deduction that you made as a result of observations after the attack?
MS BUWA: They came in through the windows because I too went out of the house through the same windows.
MR LAX: Sorry, Mrs Buwa, the question is really this; did you actually see them coming in through the window or are you just assuming that that's what happened because you had to go out through the window?
MS BUWA: I am saying the doors would not open, so they must have entered through the windows that they had broken.
MR LAX: Yes, but you didn't actually see it with your own eyes?
MS BUWA: I did not see them. Where else would you say they entered the house?
MR LAX: Yes, no, no, no-one's questioning your assumption, all we're trying to understand, and you really must understand us here, what we're just trying to understand is how you arrive at that conclusion. Either you saw it or you are concluding that from facts that you saw afterwards. We're just trying to separate that out, that's all really. There's no need to feel worried about how the question is put. You have to help us you see.
MS BUWA: I concluded that they entered through the window because the doors would not open.
MR LOWIES: When did you meet Mr Zulu for the first time?
MS BUWA: I would not say, but it had been a very long time. I had known him for a very long time in the township. I cannot say exactly how long, but it's been a long time.
MR LOWIES: Was there ever trouble between the two of you or between his family and your family? - that you know of.
MS BUWA: No, we never had any problems with the Zulu family. He used to take our children to go and practise cultural dances.
MR LOWIES: Who were these children?
MS BUWA: My grandchildren. Do you want the names?
MR LOWIES: Please.
MS BUWA: Mlalifa and Zolile.
MR LOWIES: Were they there the night of the attack?
MS BUWA: No, they were not there, they had left because their mothers had taken them along.
MR LOWIES: When did they leave, the same day or long before?
MS BUWA: They left before the attack because their mothers took them even before we knew that we were going to be attacked. They went to stay with their mothers.
MR LOWIES: On the very same day or days or so before the attack?
MS BUWA: I am saying it was before the attack when their mothers took them, saying they wanted to take them to school in the Transkei.
CHAIRPERSON: I think what she is saying is that it was long before the attack.
MR LOWIES: It was not clear, but thank you Chairman, I take the point.
Right. Now were any of the members inside this house, that resided there, members of the comrades?
MS BUWA: No, these children were still very young and none of them could have been a comrade, and they were not comrades.
MR LOWIES: The father of the house, was he a comrade or a member of the SDU? - John Buwa.
MS BUWA: John is not my husband, John is my son.
MR LOWIES: No, but the question is, John, was he a comrade or a member of the SDU?
MS BUWA: I don't know anything about that.
MR LOWIES: What is the age of John?
MS BUWA: I don't know how old is he now, he's quite grown up. Look, I'm old now, I don't know these things, I'm just as good as a baby.
MR LOWIES: Now, were there other grown-up men or boys at the address, besides John, on the night of the attack?
MS BUWA: No, there were no grown-up children, there were just children.
MR LOWIES: Normally, were there grown-up men residing there besides John, in 1992?
MS BUWA: No, there were no grown-up boys in the household.
MR LOWIES: And Mtwana Zulu, he would know that - Vanana Zulu, he would know that because he knew you well, on your version.
MS BUWA: He knew because they were not grown-ups when he took them along to go and get involved in dance.
MR LOWIES: Mkalifa and Mzoli, did they have other names, nicknames?
MS BUWA: No.
MR LOWIES: So everybody in the street used to call them Mkalifa and Mzoli?
MS BUWA: Yes, that's how they were known.
MR LOWIES: Mzoli.
CHAIRPERSON: Zolile and Mlalifa.
MR LOWIES: I see, thank you Chair.
You understood the question hey?
MS BUWA: ...(no English interpretation)
MR LOWIES: About the names of the children.
INTERPRETER: The answer was "no", Chairperson.
MR LOWIES: Mlalifa and Zolile, they were only known by these two names in the street and in the township, is that correct?
MS BUWA: They were only known by these two names.
MR LOWIES: Did you see Mr Wilson Baloyi on the night of the attack?
MS BUWA: You see Wilson Baloyi stays in his own place, he was at his house.
MR LOWIES: Ja, but did you see him on the night of the attack at all?
MS BUWA: I saw him during the day, before the attack.
MR LOWIES: Did he warn you about an imminent attack?
MS BUWA: No, he did not tell me anything about the imminent attack.
MR LOWIES: What was the illumination like outside the house on the night of the attack, was there a lot of smoke in the air?
MS BUWA: I only left the house when we were being transported to hospital by ambulance.
MR LOWIES: And then, what was it like, can you recall?
MS BUWA: It was not dark, I could see there was light.
MR LOWIES: Could you see Baloyi's house?
MS BUWA: Yes, I could see it.
MR LOWIES: What provided the light on that night, or when you went outside, can you recall?
MS BUWA: The moon.
MR LOWIES: Yes, is that all?
MS BUWA: And the lights were providing light.
MR LOWIES: Which lights?
MS BUWA: The street lights.
MR LOWIES: But I thought there were only apollo lights, are you referring to apollo lights as street lights?
MS BUWA: It is the big light that I'm talking about, it is the one that was providing illumination.
MR LOWIES: After the attack, did you speak to Mr Wilson Baloyi, can you recall?
MS BUWA: I do not quite understand.
MR LOWIES: Did you speak to him after the attack about the incident of the night? - any stage afterwards.
MS BUWA: No, I did not talk to him.
MR LOWIES: Even up until today?
MS BUWA: I went to hospital and I came back.
MR LOWIES: And thereafter?
MS BUWA: And on the day after I had come back from hospital a very big vehicle came. I don't know what it is called, I think it was called a Koyoco. It stopped in front of my house. It was being driven by a white person and he was in the company of a black man. I went to the gate and they said to me they had brought this clothing or items.
MR LOWIES: And was Baloyi there?
MS BUWA: Baloyi was at his place and he came out through the gate to observe what was happening.
MR LOWIES: Yes, and then? Did you talk to him about the incident then?
MS BUWA: What was I supposed to say to him, because he too had been attacked?
MR LOWIES: Exactly that. Didn't you discuss what happened at your house and what happened at his house?
MS BUWA: No, we did not.
MR LOWIES: Now this happened the next day you say, the day after the attack the white man came with the clothes etc.
MS CAMBANIS: She said after she returned from hospital.
MR LOWIES: I retract the question. How long had you been in hospital?
MS BUWA: I went to hospital on that evening and I came back, but one girl who was hacked on the head remained behind.
MR LOWIES: So the very next day you were there at home, the day after the attack?
MS BUWA: I came back in the morning the following day.
MR LOWIES: And it was on that day that the police arrived there, or the people arrived with the clothes?
MS BUWA: Yes.
MR LOWIES: What time of day was it approximately, was it in the morning or in the afternoon when they arrived?
MS BUWA: It was during the day, I cannot recall the time. I did tell you that I'm not educated.
MR LOWIES: But you would know if it is in the afternoon or in the evening or in the early morning, that's all I need.
MS BUWA: It was in the afternoon.
MR LOWIES: It was in the afternoon.
ADV SIGODI: She's saying it was not in the afternoon, it was midmorning, midday.
INTERPRETER: Thank you, Chairperson.
MR LOWIES: Thank you. Now were you requested by the police to make a statement?
MS BUWA: The police came and they wanted a statement from me and I did not give them any statement.
MR LOWIES: Do you reside - sorry, is your telephone number 88 3622?
MS BUWA: I don't know the telephone number, but yes, we had a phone in the house.
MR LOWIES: Were you not requested to tell the police what happened on the night of the incident?
MS BUWA: Who, who was asking me?
MR LOWIES: The police.
MS BUWA: I did not want to give them a statement. I asked them why they had decided to come after the attack, why were they not there when we were being attacked.
MR LOWIES: Yes, and what did they say?
MS BUWA: They did not respond.
MR LOWIES: Did they not ask you what happened, whether your clothes were stolen, whether the TV was stolen?
MS BUWA: They did not ask me about those things. I tell I did not want to speak to them.
MR LOWIES: And what was reason?
MS BUWA: What would I say to them, where were they when we were being killed?
MR LOWIES: Were you never taken to Vanderbijlpark Police Station to make a statement there?
MS BUWA: Not at all. I would not have gone there in the first place.
MR LOWIES: Because I have a statement here which is signed by two witnesses, stating that a statement was taken from you. Is your name Elsie Nomhle Buwa?
MS BUWA: Who are the witnesses, what are their names?
MR LOWIES: Just tell us, are your names Elsie Nomhle Buwa?
MS BUWA: Yes, those are my names.
MR LOWIES: Are you the only Elsie Nomhle Buwa residing at 807 Bafokeng Street, Boipatong?
MS BUWA: I'm the only one in that street. I don't know whether there's any other person with a similar name.
MR LOWIES: Do you know what your age is?
MS BUWA: No, I don't, I told you I am not educated.
MR LOWIES: Now two witnesses state that a statement was taken from you and you were requested to make your mark on a piece of paper. I would like to show you the document - which is page 41 Chairman, of the last exhibit, being Exhibit GG.
MR LAX: Just as a matter of interest, mine is 42 but that's because I tore out the additional extra copy of the previous witness' statement.
MR LOWIES: Does your start at page ...
MR LAX: Mine starts at 41, and 42 there's a cross on the bottom of the page. There probably was one that's cut off, right at the very bottom of page 41 as well.
MR LOWIES: I have a better copy of page 41, which indicates the mark on that. Could it just be shown to the witness please, Mr Chairman? It's the first page of the statement then, as far as there may be confusion.
MR BERGER: While this is being done, can I just ask what is page 1? Because we started numbering from the index, is that wrong?
MR LOWIES: ...(indistinct) the first, Chairman - sorry, as far as it helps I have the first page which is one, Emily Mashinini.
MR BERGER: Then it was start on page 43, the statement.
MR LOWIES: I agree with Mr Lax.
MR BERGER: Ms Pretorius agrees with me.
MR LAX: As normal practice I didn't include the index in the numbering of the actual document, but anyway.
MR LOWIES: Nevertheless, I think everybody has identified the statement, Chair. I'll check up on what the problem is.
Now do you see a mark there on the bottom of the first page? Is that how you would normally indicate how you sign a document?
MS BUWA: I don't know who put the cross here because nobody came to me for a statement after the police had left.
MR LOWIES: Did you ever sign with a cross like that before or at all?
MS BUWA: Signing where?
MR LOWIES: When you have to sign for a document, is that how you make a mark or not?
MS BUWA: No, I don't know.
MR LOWIES: And you cannot recall that you were requested to put your mark on a document, by police officers stating they're taking a statement from you?
MS BUWA: Where was I signing, where was I?
MR LOWIES: Apparently in Vanderbijlpark. Can you recall?
MS BUWA: I want to know the place, where was that, was it in my house or where was it?
MR LOWIES: Were you at the Vanderbijlpark Police Station at any stage to make a statement?
MS BUWA: No, I have never been there. I don't - I have not even trod on the threshold of that police door.
MR LOWIES: Do you know Mr Mkusi, Johannes Mkusi?
MS BUWA: No, I do not know that person.
MR LOWIES: It may be Mkulisi Mbega. Sorry, it's Johannes Mkulisi Mbega. Do you know him? The last page of ...(indistinct), Chair.
MS BUWA: No, I do not know any of those persons. I don't even think they can point me out because I cannot do the same with regards to them. I don't know them.
MR LOWIES: Did you ever make a statement in Katlehong?
MS BUWA: Where, where about in Katlehong?
MR LOWIES: Have you ever been to Katlehong, where you were requested by the police to make a statement?
MS BUWA: I do not know that place, where is Katlehong?
MR LOWIES: Now I want to put the following to you, that a police officer, three police officers will apparently say that, on the face of this document, that you were requested to make a statement and on doing so they requested you to place on the document, as per page 2 of the statement which was handed to you. If somebody could just show the mark to her please.
MR LAX: Sorry Mr Lowies, were do you get the third police from? I'm just puzzled here.
MR LOWIES: It's the two witnesses, Chairman ...(intervention)
MR LAX: No, but one is Mbega himself.
MR LOWIES: Oh yes, my mistake. Then it's two. It's my mistake, ja. I thought there were two and ...(indistinct).
MR LAX: Just as another matter of clarification, Mbega's address is at Katlehong, but that doesn't necessarily mean she was at Katlehong.
MR LOWIES: Ja, I know, I was just checking whether there's a chance. It could well be that he was here on duty.
MR LAX: And just while we're on this sort of issue, the Vanderbijlpark, it's not clear from this document where in Vanderbijlpark this thing was taken.
MR LOWIES: It may very well be Boipatong, which ...(intervention)
MR LAX: Precisely, precisely.
MR LOWIES: Thank you, Chairman.
But the point that I would like to raise with you is, two policemen state that they will state that they took a statement from you, at least, and that you gave them a version of what happened on the night of the attack at Boipatong, you cannot recall that?
MS BUWA: No, I do not recall any of that. Why don't I remember that? May I ask a question?
MR LOWIES: Yes.
MS BUWA: The police officers who took the statement from me, where was I when they took the statement? I just want to know where I was when the statement was taken.
MR LOWIES: Well it was somewhere in Vanderbijlpark, either at Boipatong or at the police station, can you recall?
MS BUWA: No. As I've just told you, I've never been, I've never set foot at Vanderbijlpark Police Station. I've never been inside the police station because I've never committed a crime, I've never injured anyone. What would I be doing in a police station because I have no problem with anyone?
ADV SIGODI: Can I just clarify this with you? After the attack, who did you tell about what had happened to you?
MS BUWA: Who did I tell?
ADV SIGODI: Yes.
MS BUWA: I do not understand your question, where is it going?
ADV SIGODI: I would like to know from you, after the attack who did you tell about this incident, about what had happened to you?
MS BUWA: I did not tell anyone. We were all attacked on the street. Everybody knew that we were attacked.
ADV SIGODI: You didn't tell your neighbours what you had lost or what had happened to you?
MS BUWA: I did tell them and they also saw the damage in the house, that is my neighbours, because they were also in the same boat. My next-door neighbour, Mr ...(indistinct) was also attacked, it was not only my house that was attacked.
ADV SIGODI: After the attack, did you not think of laying a charge?
MS BUWA: Where would we have laid that charge? Speaking for me personally, where would I have gone to lay that charge?
ADV SIGODI: I mean after such an incident a person would go and lay a charge.
MS BUWA: I did not, I did not do that.
CHAIRPERSON: You've just told us that you've never been to a police station because you've never injured anyone.
MS BUWA: I've never injured anyone, or no-one has ever laid a charge against me, up to my old age, no. I have never been to court, I've never been to prison. That is the truth. I'm telling you the truth, I've never been apprehended for anything.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, and you know that if a person has injured you, you report that to the police, do you not know that?
MS BUWA: Who would I report it to? Because the police who were supposedly our protectors, where were they when we were attacked? I do not trust any policeman now, I only put my faith in God.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Mrs Buwa, we ask you please to answer the questions as they are put to you.
MS BUWA: What am I doing now, am I not responding to your questions? What am I doing?
CHAIRPERSON: You are asking questions.
MS BUWA: I'm not asking questions, what I'm saying is, how could I have gone to lay a charge with the police? I don't regard them as present because we would not have been attacked had they been present.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, Mr Lowies?
MR LOWIES: Who is Nonosi Mavis Buwa?
MS BUWA: The same girl who was hacked on the head.
MR LOWIES: Now we have a statement from her - which is just the very next statement, Chairman, whereby she states that in your presence she spoke to the police and she also made a statement to them. Can you recall this incident when Nonosi was present and the police asked her what happened.
MS BUWA: No, I was not there, I've never heard of such.
MR LOWIES: Because on that occasion Kekana was also present, Lucky Kekana. Do you know this policeman? He took the statement of Nonosi.
MS BUWA: I do not recall that.
MR LOWIES: That was in April '93.
MS BUWA: Where was Nonosi when the statement was taken? I do not know anything about that.
MR LOWIES: Because Nonosi stated that while she made the statement she was in your presence. That she says in her first paragraph of her statement. You cannot recall this at all?
MS BUWA: No, I do not recall.
MR LOWIES: Is it because you are like a child nowadays?
MS BUWA: I am old.
MR LOWIES: And is it maybe because of the old age that you've forgotten this?
MS BUWA: You must remember that you do not always keep in mind what happened a long time ago, because as a human being there are many thoughts that go through your head, particularly if you have children.
MR LOWIES: No, I can understand that children can cause problems, being a father myself, but the point is, did you forget this incident when Nonosi and yourself made statements to the police, as a result of your old age?
MR LAX: Just hang on a second, Mr Lowies, there's nothing, on the face of this document, that they both made statements at the same time or anything to that effect. Hers is not dated and it's two different people.
MR LOWIES: I agree with that.
MR LAX: So really, to suggest to her that she made, that this statement, that she made hers the same time, maybe you need to clarify that first.
MR LOWIES: Can you recall an incident where Nonosi was in your presence and she made a statement to the police?
MS BUWA: I and Nonosi went to Delmas, we never made a statement here.
MR LOWIES: Now the statement that I showed you where you made a mark, was that taken at Delmas, can you now recall?
MS CAMBANIS: Sorry Chair, I don't her evidence is that she made a mark anywhere, on her statement.
CHAIRPERSON: Well I think what he wants to find out is the statement on which there is a mark, did she make that statement in Delmas.
MS CAMBANIS: Thank you, Chair.
MR LOWIES: What is your answer?
MS BUWA: I went to Delmas, together with Nonosi and they enquired about our injuries and we explained to them how we sustained them. That was when they took a statement, but with regards to Vanderbijl, there was never a police officer who took a statement.
CHAIRPERSON: What were you asked at Delmas?
MS BUWA: They asked us how we sustained our injuries and we explained to them.
MR LOWIES: Was the person who asked you ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Do you know whether they wrote down your answers?
MS BUWA: It is possible that they were writing down as we explained, because they even checked Nonosi.
CHAIRPERSON: Did you also tell them how you were injured?
MS BUWA: Yes, I did tell them how I sustained my injuries.
CHAIRPERSON: And did you also tell them how your house was attacked?
MS BUWA: Yes, I did explain everything.
CHAIRPERSON: After you had explained everything to them, did they require you to make a mark anywhere?
MS BUWA: No, they did not because I told them that I could not write.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes.
MR LOWIES: Did they repeat to you what you told them, in other words what they wrote down, after everything?
MS BUWA: No, they did not read it back to me.
MR LOWIES: Did you tell them that you know Vanana Zulu?
MS BUWA: Yes, I did tell them.
MR LOWIES: Can you recall whether the chap that took the statement from you, one of them was Mr Lucky Kekana? Not took the statement down, the one that was present.
MS BUWA: I do not know those people, I do not know Lucky Kekana.
MR LOWIES: Did you tell them there at Delmas, that you were asleep with young children when you were awoken by the sound of a firearm?
MS BUWA: I told them everything.
MR LOWIES: Did you tell them you tried to hide yourself under the bed?
MS BUWA: No, I did not mention that.
MR LOWIES: Did you tell them that you noticed two unknown black males inside the bedroom at that stage?
MS BUWA: I told him that three people entered the room, the bedroom.
MR LOWIES: Did you tell them that they were unknown, these people?
MS BUWA: I did not know the two people, but there were three altogether. I knew Mr Zulu, but I did not know the other two.
MR LOWIES: Did you tell them that you tried to use the bed base as an object to hide behind?
MS BUWA: No. Where would I have hidden myself, I did not even attempt to hide myself. It was the children that I hid under the bed, not myself.
MR LOWIES: Did these people remove the bed base that night before they assaulted anybody?
MS BUWA: No, they just removed the mattress, they just wanted to see if there was anybody under. They just removed the mattress, but they did not lift the bed up.
MR LOWIES: And did they see anybody, could they see anybody?
MS BUWA: I don't know. Because I don't think they saw them because with regards to the children who were hiding under the bed, no-one amongst them was injured.
MR LOWIES: Now what were you assaulted with, do you know what object?
MS BUWA: I do not know the weapons that they carried, but they had a black handle. They hacked me on the head and I had to receive stitches in hospital.
MR LOWIES: Would you say it was a panga?
MS BUWA: They also stabbed me.
INTERPRETER: There where the witness is pointing.
MS BUWA: I have something here on my head that needs surgery.
MR LOWIES: Would you say that they hacked you with a panga?
CHAIRPERSON: Wait a minute, just for the record, I think you are, would you just point out again.
MS BUWA: They hacked me on the head, right about there and they stabbed me there, my arms were both swollen, I could not do anything. When I went to the hospital my arms were swollen badly and something was inserted into my finger to try and straighten it, but it never came right.
MR LOWIES: Would you say that you were assaulted with a panga?
MS BUWA: Yes, I would say so because it was a sharp instrument. They did hack me with a sharp instrument.
MR LOWIES: Would you say that you were stabbed with a self-made sharp instrument?
MS BUWA: It looked like a sharp instrument called Nxua(?), Inxula(?).
MR LOWIES: Did you see this instrument?
MS BUWA: Yes, I saw it.
MR LOWIES: Can you show us the length of this instrument?
MS BUWA: I do not know how to respond to you. If you are between life and death there is no way you can concentrate on other things, you just face the situation.
MR LOWIES: But you said you saw the instrument, can you not even show us, indicate with your hands the size of the instrument, the length of the instrument?
MS BUWA: I do not know just how long it was, I cannot estimate. There was - we were being attacked. When you are being killed, would you notice just how long an instrument is? Don't make angry, do not make me angry. These questions are going to make me angry because I am the person who was being killed. I survived. I was between life and death and I survived because of God. He said you can hack my flesh, but you can never touch my soul.
ADV SIGODI: That is God. That's what she said.
MR LOWIES: Do you know what the size of the panga was, or the object that was used to hack you?
MS BUWA: I do not know, I just saw it raised, but it was long.
MR LOWIES: Do you know who hacked you with the panga?
MS BUWA: It was Mr Zulu himself. He is the one who started assaulting me.
MR LOWIES: Do you know who stabbed you?
MS BUWA: It was one of the persons, one of those other two people who were with him. One was attacking Nonosi.
MR LOWIES: Now according to you, what did Mr Zulu do, he hacked you, is that all?
MS BUWA: He hacked me on the head and as they were leaving he kicked me on the head, saying: "Die you dog, you cannot take care of your children."
MR LOWIES: And he had no reason to do so, from your knowledge?
MS BUWA: I've never had any problems with him, I do not know why he would do that. Even up to this day I'm still wondering why we were being attacked, what had we done, to whom. They should explain so that when we die we die for something that we are aware of. They should tell me why he was killing me, what did I do? He should explain to me, give me the reasons.
MR LOWIES: Did you see whether Nonosi was injured - sorry, did you see when Nonosi was injured?
MS BUWA: We were both injured on the same night. We were both taken to hospital.
MR LOWIES: But did you see the assault on her?
MS BUWA: Yes, she was sleeping and she had covered herself with a blanket and she was hacked as she slept. I managed to hide the other children, but I could not hide her because as I went to her the people were already inside the room.
MR LOWIES: Do you know who hacked her?
MS BUWA: It was the people who were in the company of Prince Zulu.
MR LOWIES: But not Zulu himself?
MS BUWA: No, Zulu was by my side, he was assaulting me and the other were there.
MR LOWIES: Do you know whether there was any damage to the television set that night?
MS BUWA: Whose TV?
MR LOWIES: The one in the house, or was there more than one?
MS BUWA: They took the TV and items of clothing. We did not even have a blanket on that night, everything was taken in the house, including clothing and blankets. They didn't leave anything in the house. We were wondering just what we're going to use. They took the TV and the radio and they also damaged the phone.
MR LOWIES: Now did you recover any of these items that were stolen, that you know of?
MS BUWA: No, not even one. Not even one was returned till today.
MR LOWIES: Clothing? Was any clothing recovered that you know of?
MS BUWA: We did not receive anything. It was our families who donated items of clothing to us, but nothing was ever retrieved.
MR LOWIES: Now the next day, as I understood your evidence earlier on, they came with certain items, the police in the Koyoco and it was about noon, anything that they came with, did you identify it as being your property?
MS BUWA: I did not even want to take a look there. They said they had brought property and I asked them where did they get those items and no-one gave me a response, and said I will not take anything that I do not know where it came from and you don't even know how these items were removed from the house.
MR LOWIES: Did anybody of the family recover any of the items that day, that you know of?
MS BUWA: No, we never were able to retrieve any of our items. Anybody who would tell you otherwise is lying. We were just assisted by our families who donated clothing. My son had to buy new blankets, we did not even have blankets.
MR LOWIES: Did you tell the police officers, Kekana and the other chap, that you will not be able to identify the suspects because you were scared and you could not look at them properly?
MS BUWA: I still maintain I never made a statement to the police. I don't even know that Kekana, is he present somewhere around her? Can he explain, clarify where he saw me?
MR LOWIES: Now at Delmas, did you tell the police there that, and I quote from the statement that I have:
"I cannot be able to identify the suspects because I was scared and could not look at them properly."
MS BUWA: No, those are not my words. That person must have changed what I said and put his own words. That is not any of my business.
MR LOWIES: What did you say, if you say he changed what you said.
MS BUWA: I told them everything, I informed them that it was Mr Zulu who hacked me. I told them of the three persons the one that I recognised was Mr Zulu. I do not know if now they've written something different. You cannot mix the truth with lies.
MR LOWIES: According to this statement you also told them that you were scared, is it true that you told them that you were scared on the night of the incident?
MS BUWA: I did not mention anything about being afraid.
ADV SIGODI: The word for sacred Koyica(?) ...(Sesotho) is not usaba(?), usaba means to ...(indistinct).
INTERPRETER: Thank you, Chairperson.
MS BUWA: No, I did not.
ADV SIGODI: Did you not tell them that you're afraid?
MS BUWA: No, I never mentioned anything about that.
ADV SIGODI: Were you not afraid of on that day?
MS BUWA: What was there to be scared of, I was dead. Would a corpse fear anything? I have to speak the truth. Even if I die I would have to be honest and tell the truth. As I'm sitting here today I'm sickly.
MR LOWIES: But in-chief, when Ms Cambanis asked you questions you said that you were scared on that night. -there and then during the attack.
MS BUWA: Who did I tell that to? Who was I saying this to?
MR LOWIES: You said it here whilst giving evidence.
MS BUWA: Who did I tell that I was afraid? I want to know that person's name, so that they'll explain to me when did I say this, where.
MS CAMBANIS: Chair, I didn't keep proper notes but I'm informed by my colleagues that - I did not keep my own notes but I'm informed by my colleagues that she did not say that in-chief, that she was scared.
MR BERGER: Well I don't have a note to that effect.
MR LOWIES: Sorry, I heard "I sit on top of the bed. Three persons came into my bedroom". I'm not sure whether she said scared or confused. Ja, my note is not clear, it could be confused.
MR LAX: That's where there was the debate about the word confused and wondering and ...
MR LOWIES: No it was not them.
MR LAX: That was later, you're quite right. The wondering happened later, ja.
ADV SIGODI: No, the interpretation was "I was confused while there was this gunfire".
MR LOWIES: Now I take that that's the correct note.
CHAIRPERSON: "I was wondering ..." ...(indistinct).
MR LAX: She also said she didn't know what was happening, words to that effect.
MR LOWIES: On the night when you sat on top of the bed and after you'd hid the children, were you confused?
MS BUWA: Yes, I was confused, wondering what was this gunfire all about.
MR LOWIES: And when they came in you were not confused, when the attackers came into the house?
MS BUWA: I was still confused even there, but I was not so confused that I would not recognise a person that I know. I know Mr Zulu, I saw him even then.
MR LOWIES: I want to put it to you that you could not have seen Mr Zulu, because he was in Natal on the day of the incident. You must have been confused.
MS BUWA: No, I deny that, he was present. I even heard his voice as he left my house, calling out: "Come out you comrades, we have arrived". I maintain he was there. I can say it in front of his face, he was there. I am a churchgoer, I would not tell something that is not true. I would not tell lies. Jesus Christ does not condone lying. I do not align myself with such trickery.
MR LOWIES: No, I'm suggesting to you that maybe you are making a honest mistake, that you saw somebody else and thought it was Mr Zulu.
MS BUWA: The only person who is making a mistake is the person who says Mr Zulu was absent, that is the person who is making a mistake. When a person tells lies he should be aware that God knows what he's doing. I fear God. The person who does not respect God, will perish.
MR LOWIES: My instructions are that on the very same day he was in Natal and over that period, the 15th to the 17th he ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Lowies, what point will it serve to put that question, which is already denied, she said he was there.
MS BUWA: He was there I maintain, Zulu was around. I don't know if there are two Mr Zulus, one here, one in Natal. The truth must be told, that is why I am here. I will not sustain injuries for nothing. Mr Zulu should tell the truth, he should explain to me why he was killing me. Where is he today?
MR LOWIES: Do you hate Mr Zulu?
MS BUWA: I hate him for what he did after we had been together in the township, I hate him for what he did to me. I don't know what I'd done to him. I do not owe him anything, I had never done anything to him. He should explain to me why he was killing me at my own house. He should explain here.
MR LOWIES: Do you know what position he held at Kwamadala Hostel, in '92 and at present? Let's start off with '92.
MS BUWA: No, I never even went there, I do not know about the goings-on in the hostel. I didn't even go there, I never used to go there. I've never been there.
MR LOWIES: I want to suggest to you that you think he was behind the attack and therefore you place him on the scene of the attack, whereas he wasn't there.
MS BUWA: No, I am saying I saw him with my own eyes. This is not something I was told by somebody else, I'm the person he attacked. Why does it seem like we're going to spend the whole day speaking about this, something I do not understand.
ADV SIGODI: Please answer the questions only, we don't need you to elaborate so much.
MR LOWIES: Didn't Mr Wilson Baloyi tell you that Prince Zulu was there on the night of the attack?
MS BUWA: How would Baloyi tell me that if Mr Zulu was in my own house and Mr Baloyi was at his home. Mr Baloyi did not tell me that.
MR LOWIES: What I'm suggesting, maybe to put it clear, didn't he also mention the fact that he saw Zulu outside there on the night of the attack, didn't he mention it to you?
CHAIRPERSON: As I understand her evidence, she's denied that she spoke to Mr Baloyi.
MR LOWIES: Thank you, Chair. Did you do anything in the presence of Zulu, to protect the children from being assaulted?
MS BUWA: I told you before that the other grandchild I was trying to protect when I was hacked on the finger.
MR LOWIES: How did you try to protect the child, what did you do?
MS BUWA: I raised my hand and that is when Mr Zulu hacked me and my grandchild was running to me.
MR LOWIES: Your evidence regarding Prince Zulu is denied. I have no further questions.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR LOWIES
CHAIRPERSON: Do you have any questions?
MS PRETORIUS: Only a couple of questions, not many.
CHAIRPERSON: How long will you take, because it's about 3 o'clock and I had ...
MS PRETORIUS: Well maybe when we come back, but it won't be long.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay, very well, we'll take the tea adjournment now.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS
ON RESUMPTION
CHAIRPERSON: Mrs Buwa, may I remind you that you're still under oath.
ELSIE BUWA: (s.u.o.)
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, Ma'am.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MS PRETORIUS: Mrs Buwa, that particular day, did you have any warning of an imminent attack, before the attack happened?
MS BUWA: No, nobody warned us.
MS PRETORIUS: Mrs Buwa, and then you said that you hate what Vanana Zulu did to you, was there a lot of animosity at that time in Boipatong against the residents of the Kwamadala Hostel? - before the attack.
MS BUWA: No, I do not know.
MS PRETORIUS: I have no further questions, Mr Chairman.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MS PRETORIUS
MR DA SILVA: I have no questions, Mr Chairman.
NO QUESTIONS BY MR DA SILVA
MR BOTHA: I have no questions, thank you, Mr Chairman.
NO QUESTIONS BY MR BOTHA
MR STRYDOM: I have no questions, thank you, Mr Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON: Ms Tanzer?
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MS TANZER: I have just one or two questions.
Mrs Buwa, are you a parishioner at Father Patrick's church?
MS BUWA: I attend the Apostolic Church.
MS TANZER: Is that Father Patrick's church or not? My apologies, I retract that question. When did your children stop going to the Kwamadala Hostel to learn the traditional dance?
MS BUWA: They stopped a long time ago.
MS TANZER: A long time before the attack on Boipatong?
MS BUWA: They left a long time ago, long before the attack.
MS TANZER: Did they stop going because of the acrimony that existed between the Kwamadala residents and the Boipatong residents?
MS BUWA: No, my children were taken away by their mothers.
MS TANZER: So in fact they would have gone had they stayed with you, they would have continued going had they stayed with you in your home?
MS BUWA: They would have continued going there because there was no acrimony between us and the Zulu family.
MS TANZER: On the night of the attack, did you notice whether Mtwana Zulu or any of the unknown attackers had firearms with them?
MS BUWA: They had a sharp instrument, I did not notice any firearm.
MS TANZER: Do you know the in-laws of Mtwana Zulu well, the Mothos?
MS BUWA: Yes, they grew up with my children.
MS TANZER: Do you know whether the Mothos were at home on the night of the attack?
MS BUWA: Yes, they were present. The lady of the house came to us the following morning and she went into Mxane's(?) home. They were present.
MS TANZER: And their house was not attacked that night, on the night of the attack?
MS BUWA: No, they were not attacked.
MS TANZER: You gave evidence that on the day after the attack the Koyoco arrived and they offered you some clothes, you also gave evidence that Mr Baloyi came out to see what was going on. What was his attitude towards the people in the Casspir?
CHAIRPERSON: What do you mean when you say; "What was his attitude towards the people in the Casspir"?
MS TANZER: My question is, how did he relate to them, was he hostile, was he friendly, was he asking; where were you the night of the attack, what was his attitude, what was his ...
CHAIRPERSON: Asking who? Was Mr Baloyi asking the police whether ...(intervention)
MS TANZER: No, I'm asking this witness what Mr Baloyi's attitude was when he came out to the Casspir, when the Casspir, when the Koyoco arrived, excuse me, when the Koyoco arrived outside her house the next day, and she gave evidence that Mr Baloyi came out too. That was my question, does she recall what his attitude towards the police in the Casspir were that night, that day.
MS BUWA: Mr Baloyi did not do anything, he did not even speak to the police, he was just standing there observing.
MS TANZER: I have no further questions.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MS TANZER
CHAIRPERSON: Any re-examination.
MS CAMBANIS: None thank you, Chair.
NO RE-EXAMINATION BY MS CAMBANIS
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Sibanyoni?
MR SIBANYONI: Thank you, I've got no questions, Mr Chair.
ADV SIGODI: There's just one point which I would like to clarify. In your evidence-in-chief you said that your son, John Buwa, was in another room with his wife, do you recall that?
MS BUWA: Yes, I did say so.
ADV SIGODI: And under cross-examination I made a note that you said that:
"He came after the attack, when he was trying to hide his children"
MS BUWA: He went out to hide the children.
ADV SIGODI: So where was he at the time of the attack, where was John at the time of the attack?
MS BUWA: We were all inside the house.
ADV SIGODI: He didn't come from some other place into the house, trying to hide his children?
MS BUWA: No, he never went anywhere else.
ADV SIGODI: Were you aware that there was teargas during the afternoon on that day?
MS BUWA: Yes, they did fire teargas as they passed along the streets and a canister also fell onto my yard.
ADV SIGODI: So can you say that there was tension during that time in the township?
MS BUWA: ...(no English interpretation)
ADV SIGODI: Can you say that there was tension in the township after the police had fired teargas in the township in the afternoon?
MS BUWA: Yes, there was.
ADV SIGODI: And were you aware of any trenches that were dug in your street?
MS BUWA: Yes, there were.
ADV SIGODI: Do you know why they were dug?
MS BUWA: I do not know.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, thank you Ma'am, you may step down.
WITNESS EXCUSED
MR BERGER: Chairperson, before I call the next witness, could I hand back this - I don't know if it's an original, but it's a statement of, purports to be the statement of Elsie Buwa.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, very well.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, the next witness is Ms Florence Molete. She will be giving evidence in Sesotho.
FLORENCE MOLETE: (sworn states)
EXAMINATION BY MR BERGER: Thank you, Chairperson.
Ms Molete, is it correct that you are the sister of Miriam Molete?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
MR BERGER: And on the 17th of June 1992, where were you living?
MS F MOLETE: I was residing at 17 Slovo Park.
MR BERGER: Who were you living with?
MS F MOLETE: I was staying alone.
MR BERGER: And that particular night, the night of the attack, who was living with you?
MS F MOLETE: I went to fetch Miriam and her husband to come and stay with me.
MR BERGER: And their daughter, is that correct?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, and their daughter, Mita.
MR BERGER: Now can you tell the Committee about how you experienced the start of the attack, what happened that, or what were you doing when you experienced the start of the attack?
MS F MOLETE: I was employed at that time. When I came from work I found Miriam at that place with their property, then I told them to use another bedroom and then I told them I will sleep in the kitchen.
MR BERGER: Can I ask you please to speak slower because the interpreter has to interpret your evidence. Right, where were you working?
MS F MOLETE: I was working at Bratot Supermarket in Boipatong.
MR BERGER: You arrived home and you found your sister and her husband and their daughter, with their goods at your place?
MS F MOLETE: That's correct.
MR BERGER: Can you remember what time that was?
MS F MOLETE: I knocked off at around 7 o'clock in the evening.
MR BERGER: And you went straight home?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, that's correct, I went straight home.
MR BERGER: Alright. What happened then?
MS F MOLETE: When I arrived at home I was very happy that I'm going to live with them. At around a quarter to ten at night, then I heard a noise outside, because we had already finished our conversation, we had already prayed, then I said to Miriam: "There is something going on outside" and then I peeped through the hole in the door. As I was peeping ...(intervention)
MR BERGER: Slow down. Do you remember what you were doing at the time when you heard the noise?
MS F MOLETE: I had already finished praying, I was about to put on my nightdress.
MR BERGER: And Miriam, what was she doing?
MS F MOLETE: They were in the bedroom and they had already closed the door. She was there with her family.
MR BERGER: So you said to her: "Come and have a look", is that right?
MS F MOLETE: I peeped through and then I called, I said: "Matseleng, there is something happening outside".
MR BERGER: Well before you called your sister, what did you see as you peeped through?
MS F MOLETE: I saw many people, they were many. That's when I heard the breaking down of windows outside, then I called her, then I said: "Matseleng, there is something going on outside".
MR BERGER: Slow down please. Could you make out anything about these men, who they were, how they were dressed, anything of that sort?
MS F MOLETE: When I peeped through they were at a distance, they were next to Agnes' shack, which is far away from my place.
MR BERGER: Alright, so you called your sister and you said: "Have a look, there's something funny going on".
MS F MOLETE: That's correct, Sir.
MR BERGER: And then what happened?
MS F MOLETE: Her husband said to me I should leave all those things that are happening outside, we should go and sleep.
MR SIBANYONI: That was Phule?
MS F MOLETE: That's correct, that's Phule.
MR BERGER: So what did you do?
MS F MOLETE: I kept quiet and put on my nightdress. While I was still doing that I heard a stone hitting the door, it hit again the second time and the third time the door opened.
MR BERGER: This is now the door of your shack?
MS F MOLETE: That's correct, in the kitchen where I was sleeping.
MR BERGER: Alright, what happened then?
MS F MOLETE: When the door opened a man stood there and then he called others, then I screamed, then I said: "Here are people at the door". While I was screaming they had already broken down the kitchen window and they entered through that window.
When they entered they beat me. While they were still beating me ...(intervention)
MR BERGER: Just slow down, slow down.
CHAIRPERSON: You screamed and said: "Here are men inside"?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON: And then what happened thereafter?
MS F MOLETE: Thereafter they were already inside and they were assaulting me.
MR BERGER: Before we get there, you say they broke down the window.
MS F MOLETE: That's correct, Sir.
MR BERGER: Was the window part of a wall?
MS F MOLETE: This shack was made from hardboards, not corrugated irons, the window was in the bedroom. In the kitchen there was no window.
MR BERGER: So when the window was broken down, did that also break down the hardboard?
MS F MOLETE: The window broke down but then the door had already been opened and we could see the light coming inside.
MR BERGER: Coming from where?
MS F MOLETE: It was moonlight and the lights.
MR BERGER: What are the lights that you are referring to?
MS F MOLETE: There is a light in QwaQwa Street and there is another one at the curve of Bakwena Street. These are long lights. And next to my shack there were also big lights and they were on at that time.
MR BERGER: The long lights that you're referring to, are those the apollo lights?
MS F MOLETE: That's correct, Sir.
MR BERGER: Can you describe ...(intervention)
MR LAX: Sorry, can I just interpose, Mr Berger.
I thought I heard you say that "next to my shack there's also one". I just couldn't hear you, you were going quite quickly, talking about a light. Did I hear correctly?
MS F MOLETE: I say there is a light in QwaQwa Street and its light reached our place. At the beginning of the Boipatong Houses, those houses have lights outside and we could see because the light comes to our shack, also into my yard as well.
MR LAX: So I've got a note here that says:
"There's a light in QwaQwa Street and then another on the curve of Bakwena"
... you said.
MS F MOLETE: The light that I'm talking about, that is between QwaQwa and Mohokari, there is a light there. As you move down the tar road towards Slovo, as you go down there is also another light just next to the curve, there is a long light there next to a shop.
CHAIRPERSON: Okay. Before you tell us about the lights, the question that you were asked was: "When the window was broken, did the cardboard also break"?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, it fell down.
MR BERGER: There were a number of men who entered into your shack, that you've told the Committee about, can you describe any of them?
MS F MOLETE: When they entered they started a fight ...(intervention)
MR BERGER: Yes, but before we get to that, were they black men or white men?
MS F MOLETE: They were black people, black men.
MR BERGER: And how were they dressed, do you remember?
MS F MOLETE: The only thing that I remember is that they had white headbands.
MR BERGER: And what did they do?
MS F MOLETE: They assaulted me. As they were assaulting me I fell down and they started kicking me. Some of them were even jumping onto me. While I was screaming, because I was still undressed that time, I didn't even put on my panty, the kicked me in my private parts and the other one said: "That is where Mandela's dogs come from".
They assaulted me, even jumped on me, they kicked me, they were also using sticks and fists. While I was still trying to crawl the other one hit me with his fist. They assaulted me, jumping on me, the other one would throw me to another person. They were also hitting me with sticks. I was still undressed because I was about to put on my nightdress.
MR BERGER: Is there anything else you want to tell the Committee about what they did to you?
MS F MOLETE: While I was still screaming for help the other one lifted me up and then he threw me on the ground again. I tried to crawl. While I was trying to crawl he hit me again with his fists, then I fell back. As I was falling back he kicked me because I was undressed. They also stabbed in my private parts. When I went outside, that's when I saw one of them with a gun. I went back into the house. While they were continuing assaulting me I fell down and pretended to be dead.
MR BERGER: Please continue.
MS F MOLETE: When I saw this one with the gun I went back into the house. When I went back into the house the other one said: "Take out your guns". We said: "We don't have guns", then he said: "Put on the lights and take out your guns", then we said: "We don't have matches".
I screamed and shouted: "Phule", the other one said: "The dog is dead".
MR BERGER: In what language did he say: "The dog is dead"?
MS F MOLETE: He was speaking in Zulu.
MR BERGER: And then?
MS F MOLETE: I tried to run away but I was unable to do so because I was bleeding profusely. When I crossed the tarred road I heard the gunshot, about three times and then I fell down.
When I fell down I tried to crawl down because I wanted to get help from Mr Sampson, so that I could get the phone there. They ran down Bakwena Street. These people, while I was crawling on the street, trying to stand up, but I was unable to do so, because I couldn't manage to run.
MR BERGER: The people who had attacked you were now moving down Bakwena Street?
MS F MOLETE: That is correct.
MR BERGER: What did you see?
MS F MOLETE: They went down that street and Mr Sampson came out, then he asked me whether we are not dead, then I said to him: "We have been saved by God, we just want you to call the ambulance". I didn't know where Mita and her mother were. Then I said we should go to the dumping place.
MR LAX: Thank you, you can carry on.
MR BERGER: You were saying that you didn't know where Mita and her mother were.
MS F MOLETE: That's correct, because that time I was just trying to save myself because we were facing death.
MR BERGER: You say that you suggested that you should to the dumping ground.
MS F MOLETE: Yes, I made that suggestion because I knew at that place we will be able to hide ourselves.
MR BERGER: So what happened then?
MS F MOLETE: While I was there shouting, then I met another boy by the name of Sonnyboy, then I asked him whether he saw what was happening and then he asked me: "Why are you bleeding and you have your petticoat"? As we were looking back we saw the police and then I asked myself, we are dying but the police are here.
MR BERGER: Now where ...(intervention
MR LAX: Sorry, could you just repeat what Sonnyboy and you said to each other, please?
MS F MOLETE: When I met Sonnyboy at the dumping ground he asked me why I'm running with petticoats and bleeding, then I said to him: "I cannot even run because I was still falling at that time". As I looked back ...
MR BERGER: As you looked back?
MS F MOLETE: That's when now I saw the police vehicle.
MR BERGER: What sort of a vehicle was it?
MS F MOLETE: Because I was too far, but it's a big one.
MR BERGER: And where did you see it, where was the vehicle?
MS F MOLETE: I think it was entering ...
...(end of tape)
... Mohokari Street, one of the two.
MR BERGER: And where were the attackers at that time, the time when you saw the big vehicle?
MS F MOLETE: The last time I saw then they were moving down Bakwena Street, towards Cape Gate.
MR BERGER: Can you estimate how long after you saw the attackers moving down Bakwena Street, how long was it until you saw the big vehicle near Mohokari Street?
MS F MOLETE: When I asked Mr Sampson to help me with his phoned, they were already running down Bakwena Street. When I left to the dumping ground I could not look back then because I was not feeling well that time, because I was already felling pains from the wounds.
MR BERGER: How long did you spend at the dumping ground?
MS F MOLETE: We sent somebody to go and look back, that is Sonnyboy. When he came back he said to us: "There are ambulances that are taking people", and then we went down.
MR BERGER: You went ...(intervention)
MR LAX: Sorry, Mr Berger. You asked a question earlier: "About how long after you saw the attackers did you see this vehicle?" I haven't heard an answer yet. Maybe there was something that I didn't hear, but ...
MR BERGER: No, I was trying it from a different angle.
MR LAX: Okay.
MR BERGER: Can you estimate, Ms Molete, how long it was from the time that you saw the attackers going down Bakwena Street, until you saw the police vehicle in Mohokari Street or ...(indistinct)?
MS F MOLETE: While they were running down - after that I spoke to Sampson and then from there I went through the passage on my way to the dumping ground. So I'm unable to estimate the time because on my way to the dumping ground I was not running because I was already weak at that time and I was also afraid that they will come or they will see me and come and kill me.
MR BERGER: Did you see any white men at anytime during the attack?
MS F MOLETE: While they were still assaulting me I tried to go outside. At that moment the person who was looking at me looked like a white person, a hefty kind of a person. He was tall and well-built.
MR BERGER: Was that at the time when you had gone out of the shack?
MS F MOLETE: While I saw this man it was the time I was still being assaulted because I am a short person by nature, I was able to round(sic) down their arms, so when I tried to escape I saw this man who had a gun with him, then I came back, I went back into the house.
MR BERGER: This man with the gun, this is the man you say you thought was a white man?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, he's a white man.
MR BERGER: What was he wearing?
MS F MOLETE: He wore a balaclava which hid his face and he wore these clothes used either by soldiers or police.
MR BERGER: What sort of clothes?
MS F MOLETE: These ugly clothes they normally say that they are used by soldiers. Well I will remember the name. I forgot the name.
MR BERGER: You were indicating on your arm that there were different patches, is that what you were indicating? - different things on the sleeves.
MS F MOLETE: It has some colours, they call it camouflage I think.
MR BERGER: And what sort of a gun did he have?
MS F MOLETE: Well I don't know the type of a gun because I don't know guns, but the only thing that I know is that it was a gun.
MR BERGER: You don't know if it was a long gun or if it was a short gun, you didn't notice that?
MS F MOLETE: He was pointing this gun into the house, so unfortunately I don't know different types of guns, but I can say that it was a gun.
MR BERGER: Now if he was wearing a balaclava, why do you say that he was a white person?
MS F MOLETE: If you are a black person you will be able to see a white person, even at night it's easy to see a white person.
MR BERGER: Well what features on him were you able to see that indicated to you that he was a white person?
MS F MOLETE: He was tall, he hid his face, but I could see his nose, but he is white. We used to see policemen at night moving around there, wearing those things.
CHAIRPERSON: Wearing what things?
MS F MOLETE: This thing that I am referring to, that is the camouflage clothes. They used to pass at my shack at number 17, because there's a tarred road running just next to my shack, so we used to see them on a daily basis.
MR BERGER: You say that the shape of his nose indicated to you that he was a white person?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, Sir, because there was also light.
MR BERGER: Could you see the colour of his nose?
MS F MOLETE: When I was trying to go out he was not far from the door, that is why I was able to recognise that he is a white person. He was not far from the door of my shack.
MR BERGER: Yes, but my question is, did you see the colour of his nose?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, Sir, because there was light.
MR BERGER: And did you see the colour of any other part of his face?
MS F MOLETE: I could see the nose through the balaclava, he had hand gloves and he was holding the gun, so I went back into the shack.
MR BERGER: No, no, I'm asking, could you see any other part of his face, the skin, the colour of any other part of his face, besides his nose?
MS F MOLETE: He hid his face with the balaclava, I could only see the nose.
MR BERGER: Did he say anything?
MS F MOLETE: The one who was looking at me in the kitchen was silent and then inside the people were fighting.
MR BERGER: Besides this white man that you've described, did you see any other white men that night, during the attack?
MS F MOLETE: At that time, Mr Berger, it was really difficult because I was facing death, it was not easy to see a black or a white person.
MR BERGER: After - when the men came into the shack and they attacked you, and you told the Committee you were fighting for your life, you also told the Committee that there was a time when you did not know where Miriam and Mita were. When did you see them again?
MS F MOLETE: When we came back from the dumping ground, because I got help from other people. Then we saw the ambulance and I asked them to take me to the ambulance and then when I arrived there I saw Matsile inside the ambulance. She was holding Mita in her arms. She was also with Keketsi in the ambulance.
MR BERGER: And did you accompany them to the hospital?
MS F MOLETE: No, the ambulance was already full then.
MR BERGER: Is there anything else about the attack that you want to tell the Committee?
MS F MOLETE: After they have kicked me, one of them, one of these attackers, because I was on the ground, he was laughing because I was undressed. Then he shouted that: "This is where Mandela's dogs come from", then I replied and said: "No, they do not come from me".
MR BERGER: He was referring to your private parts?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, he was referring to my private parts because I was undressed. It is true because even my petticoat had torn.
MR BERGER: Is there anything else about the attack you want to say?
MS F MOLETE: When I asked Jeannette, because they had already broken the shack, I asked her: "Where are we going to sleep"? and then Jeannette said to me: "God will help us" and then she said to me I should not cry. And then the ambulance came in the morning and I was taken by the ambulance. I was with Mr Latha in the ambulance.
MR BERGER: Ms Molete, have you told your experience, or have you related your experience about this sexual attack on you to anyone else before?
MS F MOLETE: No.
MR BERGER: When was the first time that you told anyone about this?
MS F MOLETE: It was when I was speaking to Ms Cambanis and Nomsa.
MR BERGER: And that was during a consultation a few months ago, is that correct?
MS F MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
MR BERGER: And at that time you didn't want to come and tell this Committee about your experience, is that right?
MS F MOLETE: That is correct, Sir.
MR BERGER: Were you called to Pretoria during the criminal trial?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, I remember being called to Pretoria.
MR BERGER: Who called you to Pretoria?
MS F MOLETE: The police came and they told us we are needed in Pretoria. I was with Miriam that day. I was afraid. I asked them: "Why are we needed in Pretoria?" and they said to us: "Tomorrow at 9 o'clock you are needed in Pretoria", then I said to them: "We don't have money" and that policeman said to us: "You must try to organise a car because you are need in Pretoria, you have to be there".
MR BERGER: And you went to Pretoria, is that correct?
MS F MOLETE: That's correct, we went to Pretoria.
MR BERGER: And what happened in Pretoria?
MS F MOLETE: When we arrived in Pretoria, we showed other policemen we found outside, we showed them our letters. They went inside that building and when they came out they came with Lucky and then Lucky wanted us to show him the letters, we did so. And then he said to us: "You were not called by us", then he said to us: "You were called by Mr Strydom". We asked them where Mr Strydom was because we had a child with us and he was hungry, I'm referring to Mita, she was still young then, and then he said to us we should follow him and then we went inside. Inside there we met Mr Strydom.
Mr Strydom called us into an office, his office, then we told him that the child is hungry. I said that to him. He asked us whether we know why we're being called, then we said we don't know why we are being called, then he said to us: "If the child is hungry, take money and go and buy some food". He gave us two R50 notes and then the other R50 we gave it to the man and then we took another R50 note. We went to buy Kentucky and bread rolls and a bottle of coke. We went back.
MR BERGER: Please continue.
MS F MOLETE: Then he came, Mr Strydom again, he asked us whether we have eaten, then we said yes, then we entered the office as he asked us to do. He closed the door and he asked us whether we know why we were being called, then we told him that we don't know, we are also afraid. Then he said to us: "My people are going to be convicted and they deny that white people were involved, but I realise that white people were there, were present, so I will call you so that you come back again". And then he said to us he will remain behind with Mabuza, he will talk to Mabuza. Then he gave us money. We thanked him.
MR BERGER: How much money did he give you?
MS F MOLETE: Between R100 and R150. I don't remember well because this happened some years ago.
MR BERGER: And then you left?
MS F MOLETE: He asked us which transport we used, then we said we used the kombi. He wanted to know the owner of the kombi, we explained everything to him. We were well-received by him. There was mutual understanding between ourselves and then we explained to him, we told him about the owner of the car and then he said to us: "I will got and fetch you, or I will call you so that my people should not get heavy sentences because they don't want to, or they deny that whites were involved".
MR BERGER: And were you ever called to give evidence in the criminal trial?
MS F MOLETE: No.
MR BERGER: Did anyone ever ask you to give evidence in the criminal trial?
MS F MOLETE: The place I went to is the Goldstone Commission. That is the only place.
MR BERGER: No, but my question is, did anyone ever ask you to give evidence at the criminal trial?
MS F MOLETE: No, Sir.
MR BERGER: Did you ever refuse to give evidence at the criminal trial?
MS F MOLETE: Mr Berger, I have never been to court.
MR BERGER: Did you refuse to give evidence at the criminal trial?
MS F MOLETE: I don't remember me being called to give evidence in court, it's only Mr Strydom who said to us he will call us.
MR BERGER: But he never did?
MS F MOLETE: Till today he hasn't called us. We were also surprised why we are not being called.
MR BERGER: Thank you, Ms Molete. I have not further questions, Chairperson.
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR BERGER
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Strydom?
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR STRYDOM: Thank you, Chair.
Whilst you were telling what happened to you that specific night, you followed a certain sequence but you left out that you saw a person whom you thought to be white. At a later stage my learned friend asked you:
"Did you see any white people?"
And then you started telling about this white person. Now I want to know, why did you leave that portion of your evidence out initially when you followed your sequence of what happened?
MS F MOLETE: Mr Berger was always telling me to be slow, stopping me at times.
MR STRYDOM: But do you agree that when you told the story initially, you left out the portion about the person you thought to be white and later on you were asked about this person and then you gave evidence about it?
MS F MOLETE: What I'm saying is, while I was still testifying, Mr Berger would say to me I should slow down, so when I start again I would not start where I ended.
MR BERGER: For the record, Ms Molete did mention the person standing outside her shack, in ...(intervention)
CHAIRPERSON: I think what is being put to the witness is that she only mentioned the white person after you had specifically asked her whether she had seen a white person.
MR BERGER: Yes, but the person that she mentioned, who was white, was mentioned earlier, although his colour was not mentioned.
CHAIRPERSON: But she did not say that person was white.
MR BERGER: Indeed.
MR STRYDOM: The question really is, did you forget about the white person you saw, when you gave your version in sequence initially?
MS F MOLETE: I did not forget about this white person because this happened to me. I was going to say that. Because I was speaking fast, that is why I am asking for an apology because I was speaking fast.
MR STRYDOM: When after the attack was the first time you told any official about what happened to you in Boipatong and what you saw?
MS F MOLETE: I don't understand your question, Sir.
MR STRYDOM: Let me break it up. According to you, you were attacked and you were injured during the night of the attack is that right?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, Sir.
MR STRYDOM: Now you went to the hospital, is that correct?
MS F MOLETE: I went to the hospital in the morning.
MR STRYDOM: Now after you came back from hospital, did you go to the police or to the Peace Desk or to any official, to explain to them what happened during the night of the attack?
MS F MOLETE: No, I went home because I was in pain and my shack was also down.
MR STRYDOM: I understand that, but did you go to lay a charge or a complaint to anybody, at a later stage when you felt better?
MS F MOLETE: Only my brothers and sisters knew about this and the community of Boipatong as well. I never went to lay a charge anywhere.
MR STRYDOM: Was there not some kind of forum in Boipatong after the attack, which you could go to, which was not the police, where you could tell them about what happened to you?
MS F MOLETE: Can you please explain because I don't understand what you mean.
MR STRYDOM: I will. Do you know the ANC Peace Desk?
MS F MOLETE: No, I don't know.
MR STRYDOM: So according to you, you did not go to any person or any place to tell them your story or to lay a complaint?
MS F MOLETE: No, Sir, I don't remember.
CHAIRPERSON: Where was this Peace Desk?
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, according to me there was a Peace Desk in Boipatong set up after the attack, where people could go and tell their story and can complain. I can't tell the location, but if I remember correctly a school was mentioned, but I'm talking under correction.
CHAIRPERSON: Are you aware of any place in Boipatong, where the residents of Boipatong could go and tell what happened to them during the attack?
MS F MOLETE: Do you mean after the attack or every day even before the attack?
CHAIRPERSON: No, that is after the attack.
MS F MOLETE: There was no place where we went to, because we had to bury and transport my brother-in-law's box, so we didn't have enough time for such things. I never went to any place of that nature.
CHAIRPERSON: Not necessarily the day after, but subsequent to the attack. You're not aware of that place?
MS F MOLETE: I don't remember going to people and discussing this. I don't remember.
MR STRYDOM: Thank you. You mentioned the Goldstone Commission, did you go to give evidence at the Goldstone Commission?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, I went there to give evidence.
MR STRYDOM: And did you in fact give evidence?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, that was in Vereeniging.
MR STRYDOM: Who asked you to go to the Goldstone Commission to give that evidence?
MS F MOLETE: Other women came and took the statements from us and they took us to the Goldstone Commission.
MR STRYDOM: And that was shortly after the attack, is that correct?
MS F MOLETE: We had already buried the dead. If I remember well, well I cannot remember because it happened many years ago, but the only thing that I remember, we had already buried our dead.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, but the point is, you gave a statement or statements to somebody before you went to the Goldstone Commission.
MS F MOLETE: My first statement is the one that I made to the two women and two men who came to us. If I remember them they were Caroline, Barbara and Segwadi, but I forget the fourth one.
CHAIRPERSON: Did all these four people come at the same time?
MS F MOLETE: Segwadi with this other person came first to me at work, so that's where I wrote the statement and the second time when they came, they came with these two other women and then after some time we were taken to Vereeniging.
MR STRYDOM: The Caroline that you've mentioned, is that Caroline Nichols?
MS F MOLETE: Well I did not know her surname, I only knew her by this name, Caroline.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, and the people that came, did they tell you where they're from or who they represent?
MS F MOLETE: I knew Mr Segwadi. I know where he comes from, he stays at Serela. That is where he was born.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, but did he tell you who he represents or what his capacity was?
MS F MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: Did you give evidence at the Goldstone Commission under a nickname?
MS F MOLETE: I was using this name, that is my birth name, Florence, I never used a nickname.
MR STRYDOM: And the surname you used?
MS F MOLETE: I used the surname, Molete.
MR STRYDOM: Weren't you referred to as Florina Dlamini? Is that not the same person?
MS F MOLETE: No, Sir. When we went there, as we entered the place there were two other ladies and myself, there was also Florina Dlamini. Her real name is Tselane.
MR STRYDOM: So that's somebody else?
MS F MOLETE: That's correct.
MR STRYDOM: Now why when I asked you initially if you gave a statement to anybody in any capacity or officials, didn't you mention these people?
CHAIRPERSON: I think in fairness to her, what she was being asked was about some kind of a forum where people, where the residents of Boipatong went to tell their story.
MR STRYDOM: Yes, Chairperson, later on I referred to the forum, but initially I asked "to any person".
MR BERGER: No.
MR STRYDOM: I used officials and I tried to make it as broad as possible. Later on I asked her if she does not know of some forum that was set up.
CHAIRPERSON: But I think reference - it was a bit vague.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, my note is the question was:
"When was the first time that you told any official about your experiences in Boipatong?"
MR STRYDOM: Chairman, I'm not going to take it further. You said that the first person that came to you was this Segwadi person, did you give him a statement or her a statement?
MS F MOLETE: He said to me they wanted to know where I was working and then he went away. When he came back, he came with these other people and that's when I gave him this statement. He was writing down this statement.
MR STRYDOM: Was he then - he came back with Caroline and the other people, is that what you're saying?
MS F MOLETE: That's correct.
MR STRYDOM: And what did they ask you, what did they want from you?
MS F MOLETE: They asked me about what happened that night. They wanted to know what happened that night, that is in my family.
MR STRYDOM: Yes. And did they take a statement which you've signed?
MS F MOLETE: Well I do not remember whether I signed that statement, but they took the statement from me. This happened many years ago, Mr Strydom.
MR STRYDOM: This Caroline and Barbara, was that the first time for you to meet these people?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
MR BERGER: Chairperson, perhaps we can be of assistance, the Caroline that is referred to is Caroline Nichols and the Barbara is Barbara Sudana, both partners of Ms Cambanis.
MR STRYDOM: Thank you. Now when you testified at the Goldstone Commission, did you tell the Goldstone Commission exactly what you told this Committee, about what you know?
MS F MOLETE: I told them, but there is something that I did not tell them, that is my injury to my private parts.
MR STRYDOM: But for that portion you told them the rest?
MS F MOLETE: As far as I remember I told them everything, but because this happened many years ago and many people will come and will ask for statements, but I remember telling them everything.
MR STRYDOM: After you testified at the Goldstone Commission, did you make any further statements?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: Did you make a statement in Vanderbijlpark?
MS F MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: Did you make a statement when you went to Pretoria?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: You mentioned the person Lucky, is that Lucky Samuel Kekana, the policeman?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, it's him.
MR STRYDOM: Did he take a statement from you at any stage?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: Before you came to give evidence here today, did you see that statement again?
MS F MOLETE: Are you referring to Lucky's statement?
MR STRYDOM: Yes, that statement you gave to Lucky.
MS F MOLETE: No, we will only give statements but we did not know where they were taken to.
MR STRYDOM: But what I want to know is, when you came here to give evidence, did you have a look at that statement or was it translated to you again, the statement you gave to Lucky?
MS F MOLETE: No.
MR STRYDOM: Were you in this hall when your sister gave evidence?
MS F MOLETE: I would only come in the afternoons.
MR STRYDOM: So you were here yesterday afternoon, is that what you say?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: And were you here this morning?
MS F MOLETE: Yes, I was here.
MR STRYDOM: In the hall?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
MR STRYDOM: Chairperson, will this be a convenient stage to take the adjournment?
CHAIRPERSON: Are you still going to be long?
MR STRYDOM: Fairly long, Chairman.
CHAIRPERSON: Ms Molete, would you come back here tomorrow morning, because we have not finished with you?
MS F MOLETE: Yes.
CHAIRPERSON: Very well, and make sure you are here by 9 o'clock. Very well, we will adjourn until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.
COMMITTEE ADJOURNS