amntrans AMNESTY HEARINGS 2000-02-02 PRETORIA 2 SIPHO NICODAMUS MTHEMBU https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=54022&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/amntrans/2000/200202pt.htm MR KOOPEDI Thank you. The next witness is the third applicant, Mr Sipho Mthembu. Perhaps for completeness sake I would ask that we also label his statement as an exhibit, Exhibit C in this instance? CHAIRPERSON Yes. MR KOOPEDI He is before you and he is ready to be sworn in. CHAIRPERSON: In what language? MR KOOPEDI He will be speaking Zulu but reading the statement in English. CHAIRPERSON Yes. SIPHO NICODAMUS MTHEMBU (sworn states) EXAMINATION BY MR KOOPEDI Thank you Chairperson, we will proceed. MR KOOPEDI Mr Mthembu, I'm showing you page 15 of the bundle of documents which are before this Honourable Committee wherein they said document which is an application form. Is that your application form? MR MTHEMBU That is correct. MR KOOPEDI Now on page 20 of the same bundle of documents at the bottom of it there is a signature, is that your signature? MR MTHEMBU That is correct. MR KOOPEDI Now you have also prepared a statement which we have labelled Exhibit C to facilitate the proceedings in this hearing. I would ask you to read the statement for the Committee. MR MTHEMBU: "During 1986, I clandestinely joined the ANC inside the country and also became a member of MK. I received my military training inside the country. I was trained by various commanders including Mr Dube. I then was involved in underground activities of MK and I was a commissar of a unit which was commanded by Mr Dube. During September 1988 I was ordered by Mr Dube who was my commander to assist my co-applicant, Mr Mokati, in two operations. I was further told that I still belonged to my unit but was only assisting Mr Mokati's unit because of my knowledge on limpet mines and because the members of Mr Mokati's unit were engaged in other matters. I confirm the evidence of Mr Mokati and Mr Dube in as far as it relates to me. I was arrested and kept in detention for seven months whereafter I was not charged and released." MR KOOPEDI Chairperson, that will be the evidence in chief of this applicant. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS BY MR KOOPEDI CHAIRPERSON Thank you. Mr Steenkamp, you're adopting the same attitude I suppose? MR STEENKAMP Thank you Madame Chair, indeed. CHAIRPERSON Yes. Judge de Jager, any questions to put to Mr Mthembu? JUDGE DE JAGER Same attitude. CHAIRPERSON Judge Motata? JUDGE MOTATA I've got none other than to say Vanderbijl Square Bus Terminus which would amend anything ...(indistinct) Vanderbijlpark to Vanderbijl Square. Thank you Madame Chair. CHAIRPERSON Off the record Judge Motata seems to have been there at the time of this operation. MR KOOPEDI The only sad part Chair is that Judge Motata's comments were not recorded as his mike was off and I believe it is important for us to note that it is indeed the Vanderbijl Square and not Vanderbijlpark which is a town in the Vaal. I would then say, Chairperson, that is the application for these three people before you. We do not intend calling any other witness and this then completes their application. CHAIRPERSON Thank you. WITNESS EXCUSED MR STEENKAMP Madame Chair, a request from Ms Dawson, just to say a few words to the applicants and maybe say something to the Committee as well, if that could humbly be allowed, it doesn't necessarily have to be under oath? CHAIRPERSON Yes. MR STEENKAMP But we are in the hands of the Committee. CHAIRPERSON Yes, we'll allow Ms Dawson. MR STEENKAMP Thank you Madame Chair, if I would just allow then to ask her one or two starting questions? CHAIRPERSON Yes. MR STEENKAMP Then we can proceed on that basis if that can be allowed? CHAIRPERSON You may proceed. MR STEENKAMP Thank you Madame Chair. Ms Dawson, for the record your full names?