TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
SUBMISSIONS - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
DATE: 25.03.1997 NAME: SIWEWE MAMTABAS NGAKANANI
DAY: 2 LUSIKISIKI
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CHAIRPERSON: We now call Penelope Madikizela to come forward, is she here? Siwewe Mamtabasa Ngakanani and Poyinda Nagi.
MS NGAKANANI: (sworn states)
MS MAYA: Mr Ngakanani I would like to start with you. Can you hear me?
MS NGAKANANI: I can hear you.
MS MAYA: According to your statement madam, you are going to tell us the story about your father, Nohlaza Ngakanani Jakada.
MS NGAKANANI: Yes that is correct?
MS MAYA: He was one of the people who were members of Congo at the time, but he was tortured or ill-treated in 1971. According to your statement he was arrested in 1971 and he was ill-treated by the police in Kambati. Can you please tell us how his condition was when he was released?
MS NGAKANANI: They cut his throat.
MS MAYA: When you asked him what happened, what did he say?
MS NGAKANANI: He said that the boers did this to him and they said he must not tell. He said that the boers wanted the truth from him.
MS MAYA: Yes.
MS NGAKANANI: And they cut his throat with a knife.
MS MAYA: Yes. What happened.
MS NGAKANANI: He fell down. He became unconscious. After that he woke up and his health was not well after
that.
MS MAYA: Besides this cutting of his throat what else?
MS NGAKANANI: He was beaten up and after that his health was so bad.
MS MAYA: How long did he stay in prison?
MS NGAKANANI: He stayed for six years. He stayed in prison for two years. He came back. He stayed a year and he died.
MS MAYA: Did he appear in front of a Magistrate for a court case.
MS NGAKANANI: I do not know for I was in my own home at that time.
MS MAYA: He has passed away?
MS NGAKANANI: Yes, he has passed away.
MS MAYA: He died after how long?
MS NGAKANANI: He stayed for three years and he was injured all the time. He was coughing blood and he died.
MS MAYA: Madam do you have any requests to put forward to this Commission?
MS NGAKANANI: Yes, I do.
MS MAYA: What are your requests madam?
MS NGAKANANI: My request is that if it is possible I would like to be helped to support my children.
MS MAYA: How old are your children?
MS NGAKANANI: I am his eldest daughter and he has grand children who need to be supported.
MS MAYA: Is there any other thing that you want to add madam to what you have already said?
MS NGAKANANI: Yes, I can say that there is something, but I do not see my grand child, because if he was here he would come here and testify, because he mentioned that he
wanted a tombstone.
MS MAYA: Thank you madam.