amntrans AMNESTY HEARINGS 1999-06-15 EAST LONDON 2 DAZI DENIS SIMANGA https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=53480&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/amntrans/1999/99061418_eln_990615el.htm DAZI DENIS SIMANGA (sworn states) CHAIRPERSON Mr Obose. MR OBOSE Thank you Mr Chairman. EXAMINATION BY MR OBOSE You are a member of the South African Police Services, is that so? MR SIMANGA That is correct. MR OBOSE Stationed where? MR SIMANGA Provincial Protection Services in Bisho. MR OBOSE During March 1994 where were you stationed? MR SIMANGA I was station in NU12 in Vulingela Police Station. MR OBOSE What rank did you hold at the time? MR SIMANGA I was an inspector. MR OBOSE Did you attend the meeting at the Bisho police college on the morning of the 22nd March 1994? MR SIMANGA Yes I did attend that meeting. MR OBOSE At what time did you get to the meeting? MR SIMANGA In the morning but I can't remember the time. MR OBOSE What happened in this meeting very shortly? MR SIMANGA Gen Nqoya spoke to the police and then after that he was arguing with Insp Mfene then after that he left saying that we must wait for him. We should call the other police so that we can all be there, he wanted to address all the police. MR OBOSE Do you remember as to what was the cause of this quarrel, or exchange of words between him and Insp Mfene, of what did they talk about? MR SIMANGA They were talking about the elections and the conditions that would be in place during the new government and about the pensions of the police. MR OBOSE And what was Insp Mfene's objection, if any, to this? MR SIMANGA Insp Mfene showed the dissatisfaction of the government, of the way the government was treating us as the police in the former Ciskei and the working conditions and the things that were happening such as killing of people. MR OBOSE So Gen Nqoya left, what then happened in the meeting? Did the meeting continue? MR SIMANGA After Gen Nqoya said that we must call all the police, I was one of the police who went to Umtanzani to collect other police. MR OBOSE Why? MR SIMANGA Because he was going to address all the police. MR OBOSE Now you then got back to the meeting. What role did you play, if any, in this meeting or any other events related to this meeting? MR SIMANGA In this meeting my role, I was in front when I represented the police from Umtanzani. That was my role, there was nothing else except that I was in front and I associated myself with the police in all they were doing. If an action was taken I would associate myself with that. MR OBOSE Thank you. Nothing further Mr Chairman. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR OBOSE CHAIRPERSON Yes, thank you Mr Obose. Mr Nompozolo any questions? MR NOMPOZOLO Thank you, no questions. CHAIRPERSON Thank you Mr Nompozolo. Ms Collett any questions? MS COLLETT No questions. CHAIRPERSON Thank you, Ms Collett. Mr Mapoma, any questions? MR MAPOMA No questions. CHAIRPERSON Panel? Have you got any re-examination? MR OBOSE No re-examination. CHAIRPERSON Thank you. Mr Simanga, you're excused. WITNESS EXCUSED CHAIRPERSON Yes, Mr Obose. MR OBOSE Mr Chairman the next witness I wish to call is not in right now. I was wondering maybe we could alternate the times and probably adjourn now. CHAIRPERSON Yes. We will adjourn for exactly 30 minutes. COMMITTEE ADJOURNS