hrvtrans HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, SUBMISSIONS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1997-05-22 ERMELO 1 PHILEMON J MALINGA JB3768 https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=55086&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/hrvtrans/ermelo/9ermmali.htm MR LEWIN MR MANTHATA MR MALINGA (sworn states) MR LEWIN DR ALLY Welcome to you Mr Malinga. You are also coming to speak about this conflict between people who were seen to be ANC supporters and people who were seen to be IFP supporters and what this conflict meant for you personally and also for members of your family. I want to ask you now if you would just please take us through these events of 1991 that you described to us in your statement. MR MALINGA DR ALLY MR MALINGA DR ALLY MR MALINGA DR ALLY Before this conflict, were you and Mr Mkonza friends ? Did you speak to each other before all of this happened ? Before the stone was thrown through your window and before ... MR MALINGA DR ALLY You lived very close to each other. In fact two houses away from each other, not so ? MR MALINGA DR ALLY So you were friends before all of this happened ? MR MALINGA Yes, we were used to each other but I grew up in front of him. DR ALLY From your side, what was it then that changed this relationship where you knew each other, where you would greet each other, where you would talk to each other. What happened to change that ? MR MALINGA The cause was that I refused to support his organization of Black Cats. He wanted me to join the Black Cats group and I refused completely and that was the beginning of the whole thing. That was where the whole thing emanated. DR ALLY MR MALINGA DR ALLY MR MALINGA Their houses, some were attacked and some were set alight on that very day that they were attacked I think that they were also confused, they were not sure as to which house they were attacking. They ended up attacking their own houses as well. DR ALLY MR MALINGA Yes, that was successful but Mkonza was against all that because he will start again suddenly when it stable and send his Black Cat members throughout the location and instruct them to the surface. DR ALLY In August, I think you actually referred to this, the Weekly Mail sent reporters to your area and they actually had interviews with both you and Napoleon Mkonza. Do you remember those reporters ? You actually referred to it when you were speaking earlier, and the reporter says that this warring that was taking place in the township, he says that this will only come to an end when people like Napoleon Mkonza and Philemon Masinga, Malinga sorry, Philemon Malinga, start talking to each other again. Has that happened ? Do you and Mr Mkonza talk to each other after all these years ? How do you see peace coming in the township especially between you and those who you believe were the perpetrators of this deed against you and your family ? How do you believe that peace can come, that this conflict can finally be resolved ? MR MALINGA If they may attempt to pay back the way I want them to pay, I think there will be peace thereafter. DR ALLY Thank you very much, Mr Malinga. MR LEWIN