hrvtrans HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION HEARINGS 1996-06-25 WORCESTER 2 CT/00130 PRINGLE MRUBATA PRINGLE MRUBATA PARALYSED AS A RESULT OF, BEING SHOT BY AMASOLOMZI https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/hearing.php?id=56159&t=&tab=hearings https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/originals/hrvtrans/worcest/ct00130.htm ADV POTGIETER Mr Mrubahta, good morning, I just want to check whether you can hear me over the headphones, you can just indicate. MR MRUBATA Yes. ADV POTGIETER PRINGLE NTANDO MRUBATA Duly sworn states ADV POTGIETER Thank you very much, I hand over to Pumla Gobodo. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA We have heard quite a long time about what happened to other people, some people were murdered and the people who were responsible for that were vigilantes, the Amasolomzi . We would like to get more details about who are these vigilantes, who were they ? MR MRUBATA In the evening late the people who were travelling to Robertson were about to go, after a few minutes we heard a cry, and then we rushed through the place we wanted to see what was happening. And we - on our way we saw Msizi Klaas. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Was he also a vigilante ? MR MRUBATA Yes, he was also a vigilante. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA We want the people to get clearly who were these vigilantes, where they black people who were also community members who were working together with the police? MR MRUBATA They were people who were selected as males who were suppose to patrol and try to prevent the aims of the youth. I would state that the way in which they were nominated was not quite clear but usually they were expected to work in the evenings so as to implement a curfew for the youth especially after 9 pm. And they were also Councillors who were elected and this was not known to us how were they elected and we objected to that. We also learnt that the oppressive and repressive Government wanted to reinforce more people to guard and then the vigilantes were also placed in our vicinity so that they should be able to patrol. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Some of them were working at Langeberg during the day but in the evening they work as vigilantes. In our research, investigations we realised that Chief Mabizela has findings that these vigilantes were the people who was working at Langeberg because it was the agency which was mostly responsible for employing the people from Ashton. They were used as the eyes of the Community but it is understood that it was the impression that was given by the system so that they can curb the progress of the struggle. We would like you to give an explanation of how did you lose both of your legs as you are now in a wheel chair, we understand that you are now confined in the wheel chair, how did this take place ? MR MRUBATA This happened when we rushed to the place where we heard that there was a cry. We discovered that there was one of our comrades who was at the back of the van. And then this gentleman pulled the car along the street. During the period there were lot of people who were coming around and we wanted to hear what was going to be said by this the occupants of the van. What they did was just to wait for the people to come nearer and then we heard the gunshot and we dispersed. I went to another house which was nearby because I was afraid of being hit by the bullet. After a while the gunshots subsided and I then I thought that I should get out probably nothing would happen to me. Mzwakhe took me and he tried to drag me into one of the houses. The youth now came along and they wanted to know what was happening and I could feel that there was something which was happening on my legs. They also looked through and wanted how I was the injured and then I was taken to hospital. [indistinct] father helped to transport me to the hospital at Montagu, I lay on my back but I could feel that my feet were burning. Thereafter I lost consciousness at Montagu. My colleagues informed me that when I lost consciousness they were chased away by Brilletjies, this was one of the policeman and amongst them there were also vigilantes. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Were the vigilantes shooting with the guns ? MR MRUBATA As I completely regained my consciousness it was on a Sunday, there was another gentleman who asked me what happened I also wanted to know what happened because I was not quite aware of what was happening. They stated that I was shot. And then I asked them what else can help me about they said no, I can stay with this bullet and there no damage that would take place. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Are you having a bullet in your body ? MR MRUBATA This affected me again because I was worried because it was due to the police and the vigilantes that I am now a cripple. In 1990/1 - I was at my place and then the other day I was taken to Donges Hospitaal. I lost the hips and I think the sockets were affected and then I had to be amputated, I came back and I went to school. I learnt from Father Michael who used to visit me at the hospital I also asked him how can I do - what can I do so that there is a follow up about my case. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Is it Michael Lapsey ? MR MRUBATA Yes, it is Michael Lapsey. It was I realised that I had to make a telephone call, Ms Dyalivane assisted me with the telephone because I phoned one lady, Zine Duzwa. She stated that it was not end of the road that the hearings of the Commission all in Cape Town. I phoned again to make inquiries when can we also get the opportunity to go to the Truth Commission, [indistinct] informed me that I can use this telephone number and I was connected to Noby Ngombane. After the hearings in Cape Town I phoned another gentleman, Mr Brown and then I was informed that there were people who were taking statements and then I was one of them - I was one of the people who went to submit the statement so that I can also give evidence to the Commission. At times I get a swelling at my scrotum but the doctors say they cannot assist me with that until I heal - the bedsores get healed. So those are most of the things that bothering me and I think if I can meet the specialist I can be helped. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA MR MRUBATA MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Why were they always after you ? MR MRUBATA MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA I want you to clarify to the people and tell them by the time the vigilantes were starting to operate, was Zolani a quiet place and Zwelethemba where you used to come from was the one area that was always in violence. So is the Zolani the one that begins the situation. MR MRUBATA There were some colleagues who were not attending school, is not because they did not want to attend school is just that they were afraid to attend school because of the situation which was prevalent at that time. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Can you please try and explain to us how did it happen being shot by the vigilantes that went under the police guard ? MR MRUBATA As I learnt from others in the beginning I think I should start by saying when I regained consciousness I saw the police. So as I learnt from others it was said that after I was shot there were some comrades who pressurised the Amasolomzi or vigilantes to get into the house and then they asked them questions. That is where there was burning of the houses and then the police came in during that time. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Who was burning the places? MR MRUBATA It is the comrades. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Were they burning the places of vigilantes after you have been shot? MR MRUBATA So the involvement of the police is not quite clear with me because I just met them in hospital in the first hospital when they were chased away by the doctor. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA According to your case whom did you state? MR MRUBATA The person I mentioned is Panie Klaas. The person who was driving the van was also - was Klaas Lusizi. There were other vigilantes who were nearby, Kokoloi and others but people who was responsible and those who were responsible who instigated this violence was Lusizi. I do not know why he arrested one of the community members there and that is where the whole situation started to be volatile. MS GOBODO-MADIKIZELA Is there any questions, Mr Denzil - thank you. ADV POTGIETER MR MRUBATA Yes sir. ADV POTGIETER Where did you do that? MR MRUBATA Di Bishop assisted me and it was at Mellanicks. ADV POTGIETER The attorneys in Cape Town. MR MRUBATA Yes the lawyers in Cape Town. ADV POTGIETER Did the case go to court ? MR MRUBATA Yes, it did it was in Supreme Court. ADV POTGIETER In Cape Town MR MRUBATA Yes - yes it was in Cape Town - it was unsuccessful. ADV POTGIETER [indistinct] that it was unsuccessful. MR MRUBATA ADV POTGIETER [indistinct] in that court. MR MRUBATA Yes I did. ADV POTGIETER Or let me ask you who else gave evidence, who did you accuse at that court. Did you accuse these vigilantes ? MR MRUBATA Yes, I was laying charge against the vigilantes. ADV POTGIETER [indistinct] as well? MR MRUBATA Yes they did. ADV POTGIETER Can you remember who - who gave evidence specifically? MR MRUBATA It was Panie, Lusizi, Klaas. ADV POTGIETER Is there anyone else you could remember, or was that all? MR MRUBATA ADV POTGIETER We thank you for that information CHAIRPERSON Thank you very much Ntando. We are here to share with you the pain that you endured for the past few years, it is very painful to see you confined in a wheelchair but we are grateful that you could still smile with all your handsome face. We think that because of the pain that was inflicted on you, you could be a person whose always angry and bitter, but we are grateful that we can see that you have this spirit, the humanity, the ubuntu which we think that it is going to help us and assist us to heal the nation. We would like to realise that the pains that you had endured should not be regarded as just something which is worthless, it should be realised and regarded as one of the most important tools which have assisted us and expedite the liberation of our country from the repressive laws of the previous regime. We are here today listening to you and we can regard ourselves as liberated because for the mere fact that we are witnessing your evidence it means that we are liberated. Thank you very much for your contribution. MR MRUBATA Thank you.