hrvtrans HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, SUBMISSIONS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1997-06-05 WITBANK 1 MRS CHRISTINAH V MKHATSHWA JB2150 https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=56150&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/hrvtrans/witbank/2witmkha.htm DR RANDERA MR LEWIN Mrs Mkhatshwa, if you could please raise your right hand and swear that the evidence you give to-day will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God. MRS CHRISTINAH MKHATSHWA (sworn states) MISS MKHIZE MRS MKHATSHWA MISS MKHIZE I would like you to explain to this Commission how he met his fate. MRS MKHATSHWA We went to the police station instead and I asked, why and where are we going? They said we should relax. We went inside the police station building. When I passed in the hallway, I saw two bodies that were covered and I wondered who those people were. They took me to this particular White man and he asked me my name and I told him that I am Christinah. He asked me whether this was my father and I said yes, this is my father. He then asked for my mother and I told him the state in which my Mom was. They held me on both sides and one gentleman approached, wearing gloves and opened one of the bodies and I realized straight away that it was my father. I could tell that my father had died. I submitted a statement and I could hear Mrs Masina crying as well. They asked me many questions. I answered what I knew and what I could. Some questions were repeatedly asked and I answered as best I could. I just wanted to go back home and I asked how I would get home because I had no transport. Mrs Masina had relatives with her and they gave me a lift back home. They neighbours were also surprised at what had happened. When I got home, I could not speak properly and my mother was lying down. I told her that my father was caught in that incident as well as Mr Masina and that they both had died. We started making funeral arrangements. MISS MKHIZE MRS MKHATSHWA MISS MKHIZE What about the bomb? Was it planted by the teachers or what? MRS MKHATSHWA MISS MKHIZE When you say you were called and you met them, did you get any explanation from the teachers? That would help so that the family can know exactly what happened, who planted the bomb and what was their objective. Did you gather any information in this regard? MRS MKHATSHWA MISS MKHIZE MRS MKHATSHWA MISS MKHIZE What about the CID apartment flats that you are talking about? Are these their offices? MRS MKHATSHWA MISS MKHIZE Thank you, I will hand you back to the Chairperson who may ask further questions. DR RANDERA Mr Malan? Mr Lewin? MR LEWIN MRS MKHATSHWA MR LEWIN MRS MKHATSHWA MR LEWIN MRS MKHATSHWA MR LEWIN Could I ask a general question about how you in the community, you in particular were affected because of what happened to your family? You were involved very personally. How did you feel at the time, afterwards? What was your reaction? MRS MKHATSHWA MR LEWIN MRS MKHATSHWA MR LEWIN Thank you very much. DR RANDERA Christinah, can I just ask one other questions. You spoke earlier on about your perceptions as to why the bomb was placed outside that building. Can you tell us what else was happening in Witbank at that time? I said there was some elections to take place, Local Council elections to take place the next day but in the township or in the town, was there a lot of political activity taking place in 1988? MRS MKHATSHWA DR RANDERA My other question is to do with these teachers you mentioned or these two people who were arrested. As far as you know, were they from Witbank? MRS MKHATSHWA DR RANDERA Thank you, Christinah. I have no further questions. Is there anything ....... sorry. Miss Mkhize? MISS MKHIZE MRS MKHATSHWA MISS MKHIZE MRS MKHATSHWA MISS MKHIZE MRS MKHATSHWA DR RANDERA