hrvtrans 1 B PLAATJIES, HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, SUBMISSIONS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1996-08-27 UITENHAGE 2 BUYELWA INNOCENTIA PLAATJIES https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=56030&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/hrvtrans/uiten/plaatjie.htm CHAIRPERSON We are now going to ask our next witness, Mrs Buyelwa Plaatjies. Thank you very much Mrs Plaatjies, Ms Maya will facilitate your evidence. BUYELWA INNOCENTIA PLAATJIES (sworn states) MS MAYA Thank you very much Mr Chairperson. Mrs Plaatjies, I would like to ask you, what is your surname, is it Plaatjie, or Plaatjies? MS PLAATJIES It is Plaatjies. MS MAYA In the statement before us on which your evidence today will be based we find that you are going to speak about Phumzile Gladwell Plaatjies, who was also part of the crowd of the people who was killed on 21 March 1985. I would like you to please tell us when did you hear that Phumzile was no longer alive? I would like you to tell us how his death affected you. MS PLAATJIES We heard on the Sunday that Phumzile had passed away. MS MAYA Who was telling you? MS PLAATJIES We were told by a friend of his that was there. UITENHAGE HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE 2 B PLAATJIES MS MAYA How old was Phumzile at the time? MS PLAATJIES He was born in 1967. MS MAYA Was he still a pupil at the time? MS PLAATJIES Yes he was still at school. MS MAYA In which standard was he? MS PLAATJIES He was in Standard 7. MS MAYA After having heard that he had passed away, what did you do? MS PLAATJIES We went to look for him. We came to AVBOB here and we were told to look for him in New Brighton. We found him there. MS MAYA After how long did you find him? MS PLAATJIES We found him after a week. MS MAYA Were you called, when the other people were called to the Jubilee Hotel? MS PLAATJIES Yes, we were also called. MS MAYA Who did you find there, and what was done, what was said to you at the Jubilee Hotel? MS PLAATJIES There were a lot of people there and there were attorneys present as well. There were many of us and there were attorneys. MS MAYA What were they calling you for? Since they say that there was money that the state compensated the people, did you receive any money? MS PLAATJIES Yes we did. MS MAYA How much money was that? MS PLAATJIES It was R15 000. MS MAYA How did Phumzile's death affect your family? MS PLAATJIES We got so sick so much so that my mother suffered a stroke. MS MAYA How did the stroke affect her, how was she after UITENHAGE HEARING TRC/EASTERN CAPE 3 B PLAATJIES the stroke? Please take your time. I would like to ask us to please keep quiet and show this witness the respect she deserves. MS PLAATJIES She was ill for a very long time, she is still not very well. MS MAYA One last question. What is your wish as a family, what is your request to this Commission? MS PLAATJIES I want some kind of memorial stone to be erected here in town. MS MAYA Is that the only wish you have as a family? MS PLAATJIES Yes. MS MAYA Is there anything else that you would like to add before we conclude? MS PLAATJIES No, there is nothing else. MS MAYA Thank you very much, I hand you back to the Chairperson, there might be more questions forthcoming. CHAIRPERSON Thank you very much.