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Human Rights Violation Hearings

Type HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION HEARINGS

Starting Date 09 October 1996

Location KAROO

Day 3

Case Number CT/01506/KAR

Victim FUNEKA SIYONZANA

Testimony ENGELINA SIONZANA

Nature SHOOTING AND KILLING BY, POLICE

MS BURTON

Ms Sionzana, shall we turn to you. If we could move the mike there.

JULENA SIONZANA Duly sworn states

JULENA SIONZANA

Whilst we were sleeping, we had a few people singing and as these sounds was approaching, it stop right in front of my yard. It took some time. My brother’s child went into my house, Fundiswa, and she told Funeka that we must go. And Funeka was already up at that stage. They left together.

After a while when they were gone, I just heard a few shots. After a time they’ve gone, I just heard a few shots. After the shots, there were children who ran past. They were running. Thereafter I lay down until in the morning. And then my sister Sionzana arrived and she said your child is in Bloemfontein in the government mortuary. And then I was shocked and that’s the last thing I heard. Thank you. It seems I have finished giving my testimony.

MS BURTON

You have mentioned that in your statement that Funeka and also Nombulelo were taken in the same ambulance, is that right.

JULENA SIONZANA

Yes, that is so.

MS BURTON

And was there ever any court case or any enquiry of investigation?

JULENA SIONZANA

Yes, there was a court case. We were called to appear there. We were called and we were told that our children’s matter will be discussed. In that court there were four policemen. Apparently were from Graaff-Reinett. They case was discussed in our but we were not aware as to what was happening and the case was to be postponed to Grahamstown. Till today we are still waiting for that.

MS BURTON

Mr Sionzana you mentioned that in your community clinic has been named after Funeka, but that one of the things you would like to do would be to have a [indistinct]

JULENA SIONZANAYes, Funeka is the clinic is named after her. I don’t know why, but the clinic is named after her.

MS BURTON

Thank you. Is there something else you would like to say before I move on to one of the other witnesses.

JULENA SIONZANA

The one thing that I want to say is that I am very hurt about my child because she would have been helping me today.

MS BURTON

You are now dependant on a pension, is that right?

JULENA SIONZANA

Yes, it is so.

MS BURTON

But you have to care for your other child and your grandchildren.

JULENA SIONZANA

Yes, it is so.

MS BURTON

Thank you Ms Sionzana.

 
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