amntrans AMNESTY HEARINGS 1999-07-15 THOHOYANDOU 3 MR SIOMA https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=53532&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/amntrans/1999/99071214_tho_990714th.htm CHAIRPERSON This will be Exhibit B. Mr Sioma, what language would you prefer to use? MR SIOMA I will use (indistinct) Venda. CHAIRPERSON Very well. Have you got any objection to the taking of the oath? MR SIOMA No objection. MR SIOMA (sworn states) CHAIRPERSON You may proceed. EXAMINATION BY MR NDOU Thank you, Mr Chairman. Mr Sioma, you have an affidavit in front of you. MR SIOMA Yes, it's true. MR NDOU Do you agree that your signature appearing on the last page of the document is yours? MR SIOMA Yes, I agree. MR NDOU (Indistinct) that this affidavit may be handed in as your evidence? MR SIOMA Yes, I agree. CHAIRPERSON (Indistinct) that you wish to bring or effect on the affidavit? MR SIOMA No, at this stage, no. CHAIRPERSON (Indistinct) is that in terms of your instructions? MR NDOU That is so. CHAIRPERSON So you also as a legal advisor are comfortable that no amendments need to be brought. MR NDOU Yes, I made sure that where there were problems, those are clarified. CHAIRPERSON Is there anything that you want to add to your affidavit that comes to mind now? MR SIOMA No, at this stage. CHAIRPERSON (Indistinct) Mr Van Rensburg? NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR NDOU CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR VAN RENSBURG Mr Sioma, I just want to put it to you that the reason why you attacked the house of the deceased and burned down his house and killed him was because he was suspected of being a witch and the community was frightened of witches. CHAIRPERSON Well, let's do it one by one. MR VAN RENSBURG Pardon? CHAIRPERSON It's been put to you that the reason why you participated in killing the deceased was because he was a witch, true or not? MR SIOMA Some of it, that's one of it. CHAIRPERSON Yes, secondly it's been put to you, well Mr Van Rensburg, can you carry on then? MR VAN RENSBURG Thank you. And that that was the most important reason why you killed him, because he was a witch? MR SIOMA That is not the only one. MR VAN RENSBURG The most important one? MR SIOMA The most important one is that he was in the midst of witches and that he was disturbing the activities of the youth. MR VAN RENSBURG You agree that there was prior to the day that he was killed, no decision to kill him? MR SIOMA The decision of killing him was not there, was never made. MR VAN RENSBURG (Indistinct), thank you Mr Chairman. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR VAN RENSBURG CHAIRPERSON Ms Patel? MS PATEL No, thank you, honourable Chairperson. CHAIRPERSON Mr Ndou? MR NDOU None. CHAIRPERSON (Indistinct) ADV SIGODI No questions, Chairperson. CHAIRPERSON Tell me, what do you feel about what you did that day? What do you feel today? MR SIOMA For now I'm feeling in my heart very painful, since it happened I'm feeling very concerned when seeing the children of the deceased in front of me now. In the past I was unable to meet them so that we can forgive each other as we are living together at home...(intervention). CHAIRPERSON (Indistinct) are you prepared to make attempts to come to terms with the family? MR SIOMA Yes, I'm fully prepared that we can live together like before. CHAIRPERSON I would appeal to the respective representatives to make attempts to facilitate such a meeting. I don't know if it will occur but at least I'm hopeful that it could. Mr Ndou? MR NDOU I agree. CHAIRPERSON Yes, thank you. WITNESS EXCUSED