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South Africa: Apartheid Debt & Reparations, 2
South Africa: Apartheid Debt & Reparations, 2
Date distributed (ymd): 021112
Document reposted by Africa Action
Africa Policy Electronic Distribution List: an information
service provided by AFRICA ACTION (incorporating the Africa
Policy Information Center, The Africa Fund, and the American
Committee on Africa). Find more information for action for
Africa at http://www.africaaction.org
+++++++++++++++++++++Document Profile+++++++++++++++++++++
Region: Southern Africa
Issue Areas: +economy/development+ +US policy focus+
SUMMARY CONTENTS:
A suit was filed today, November 12, in the New York Eastern
District Court against 8 banks and 12 other companies in six
Western countries for apartheid reparations, on behalf of the
Khulumani Support Group and individual "victims of state-sanctioned
torture, murder, rape, arbitrary detention, and inhumane
treatment." This posting contains excerpts from the stories of
individual plaintiffs who are parties to the case. Another posting
distribued today contains a press release from the Apartheid Debt
& Reparations Campaign, a statement from the law firm of Cohen,
Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, a list of the companies that are the
defendants, and a profile of the Khulumani Support Group.
For additional background from the Apartheid Debt & Reparations Campaign,
see
http://www.africaaction.org/action/adrc0211.htm
+++++++++++++++++end profile++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Apartheid Debt and Reparations Campaign
For comment in South Africa please contact:
South Africa: Neville Gabriel, Spokesperson: Jubilee SA, cell. +27
83 449 3934; Ntombi Mosikare, Secretary General: Khulumani Support
Group, cell. +27 11 403 4098; Charles Abrahams, Legal Adviser:
Jubilee SA, cell. +27 82 560 7152
Plaintiffs Stories [selected: additional stories can be found in
the full text of the complaint, available, at:
http://www.cmht.com/casewatch/humanrights/apartheid.html
MURDER
Elizabeth Sefolo is the wife of Harold Sefolo, who was murdered by
the South African Police. Harold Sefolo was abducted in June/July
of 1986 along with Jackson Maake and Andrew Makupe. Sefolo was
interrogated and tortured. A knife was forced in his nose to coerce
him to provide information regarding the ANC. Sefolo begged for
his life. The police then shocked Maake and Makupe to death
before Sefolo. Shortly thereafter, Sefolo was shocked to death.
The police then took the bodies to a minibus, which was then placed
over a landmine, which was detonated. This was done to create the
impression that they had blown themselves up. Ms. Sefolo learned
of her husband's fate in a newspaper article in the City Press
Sunday, 26/27 Jan/Feb 1996.
Elizabeth Maake is the mother of Jackson Maake, who was murdered by
the South African Police. The SAP first abducted Maake, who was
working for them as a spy in the ANC, and took him to a deserted
property owned by the Pretoria Portland Cement Mine. He was
accused of being a double agent, which he denied. He gave Makupe's
name as his MK contact. Makupe was then abducted, followed by
Sefolo. During the torture of Sefolo, Maake was shocked to death
in front of Sefolo and Makupe. Ms. Maake did not learn of her
son's fate until it was published in the City Press Sunday.
Ntombi Jane Mosikare is the sister of Solomon Ngungunyane Mahabane,
who was murdered by the South African Police and Military.
Solomon was a member of the Congress of South African Students
(COSAS). He, along with other members of COSAS, were given boobytrapped
hand grenades and asked to blow up a counselor's house. As
soon as the pin was removed, the grenade exploded. This case is
known as Zero Hand Grenade.
Nokitsikaye Violet Dakuse is the sister of Tozi Skweyiya who was
murdered by the South African Police on March 2, 1985. He was
playing with his friends at the corner of the street on which he
lived. Six soldiers and police officers arrived and Tozi and his
friends ran. Tozi entered the house of Zaphukibe Jacobs. The
police followed and shot Tozi three times in front of Zaphukibe
and his wife. The police and soldiers then brought Tozi's body out
of the house, where they shot him further. A van arrived and took
Tozi's body away. Ms. Dakuse and her mother were present when
this happened and cried out to the police, who threatened to shoot
them too. The following day, Ms. Dakuse and her mother went to the
police station to recover the body. The body had been stripped of
all clothing. No investigation or charges were ever brought
against the perpetrators.
Archington Madondo is the father of Mandla Madondo, who was
murdered by the South African Defence Force on July 10, 1986. Mr.
Madondo had sent Mandla to buy some bread, when a casper with
soldiers came down the street and began shooting at Mandla and his
friends who were standing outside the shop. Mandla was just 16
years old when he died. His twin brother, Thomsanqa, was arrested
shortly after Mandla's murder and imprisoned for one year without
a trial.
Tshidiso Motasi is the son of John and Penelope Moloke, who were
murdered in their beds by the South African Police. Tshidiso was
only 5 years old at the time. Three men stormed into his home at
10pm and shot his father. His mother, who witnessed the slaying
and saw the face of one of the killers, was brutally shot in order
to keep safe the identity of the murders. The police did not
detect Tshidiso. Not knowing what to do, Tshidiso spent the night
alone, crying, with the bodies of his murdered parents.
Neighbors, who heard his cry the following morning and came to
investigate, found Tshidiso with his parents' bodies. John Miles
chronicles Tshidiso's story in the book Deafening Silence.
...
Patricial M. Songo is the mother of Dipulo Songo, who was murdered
during the Mamelodi Massacre on November 21, 1985. At age 16,
Dipulo was a student. He was attending a gathering that was to
present the then mayor with a memorandum concerning the high cost
of rentals in Mamelodi. The South African Police and South
African Defense Force opened fire into the crowd, shooting
everyone, even those who ran away. No one has ever been prosecuted
or called to account for the massacre.
Catherine Ngqulunga is the wife of Brian Ngqulunga, who was
murdered by the South African Police on July 19, 1990. Brian had
worked for the SAP, but had recently left his position and was in
contact with the ANC. His former colleagues kidnapped him, then
beat, stabbed and chopped his body to pieces.
Maria Sibaya is the mother of Jeffrey Sibaya who was murdered
outside Mamelodi in July 1986. Jeffrey, 17 at the time of is
death, was a member the ANC and the Congress of South African
Students. The South African Police had an interest in Jeffrey and
approached him about becoming an informant. After Jeffrey
refusing to become an informant, the Police decided to kill
Jeffrey. Joe Mamsela, a Police spy, lured Jeffrey to his death.
Mamasela told Jeffrey and his friends, that Mamasela was going to
take them to Botswana to join the ANC for military training.
Instead Mr. Mamasela led them to their execution at Nietverdiend,
a location five kilometers north of Piennar's River near the
Botswana border. Jeffrey and his colleagues were interrogated,
kicked, beaten, and strangled with wire. Members of the Security
Branch murdered Jeffrey. To conceal the evidence, Jeffrey's body
was blown up using a landmine.
...
Samuel Morudu's granddaughter, Sannah Letsie, was murdered in a
firebomb attack in February 1987. Sannah P. Letsie, was born on
December 19, 1974 at Hetzogville in the Orange Free State. In
1980, young Sannah came to Mamelodi to attend school. Sannah's
uncle, Moss Morudu was a member of the Mamelodi Civic Association
and was targeted by the Security Police. During the early morning
hours of February 20, 1987, while Sannah was asleep, the house
where she was staying was firebombed. Four bombs were thrown into
the where Sannah slept with her four cousins. All the children
suffered at least third degree burns. Sannah was rushed to
Kalafong Hospital, but she could not be saved. Sannah died on
February 25, 1987 from the burns she sustained.
...
Nomvula Eunice Kama is the sister of Mncedisi Dlokova who was
murdered by the South African Security Police. On March 21, 1985,
Mncedisi was shot while participating in a march held in
Uitenhage. Ms. Kama and her family could not attend her brother's
funeral under fear that they would lose their homes. Mncedisi's
death certificate has yet to be given to the family.
Tshemi Makedama is the sister of Lugile Makedama, who was murdered
in the De Aar Police Station in October 1985.
Nosipho Mavis is the sister of a person who disappeared in
Craddock. The Police used to constantly harass the Mavis family
while Nosipho's brother was alive. But the Police harassment
stopped when her brother disappeared.
...
TORTURE
Zakharia Fikile Mamba, 35, was tortured repeatedly between June 26,
1986 and 1991. After joining the political struggle in December
1984, the security police began tracking Mr. Mamba. This forced
Mr. Mamba into hiding until March 1986, when Mr. Mamba participated
in protests to admit students into schools. After the protests,
Mr. Mamba went back into hiding until June 26, 1986 when the
police found him and took him to the Bothaville police station.
There, Mr. Mamba was interrogated. Mr. Mamba was transferred to
Wesselsbronx police station where his torture began. While Mr.
Mamba was being interrogated two police officers handcuffed and
repeatedly punched and kicked him. The police tortured Mr. Mama
again three week later, handcuffing him and beating him. However,
this time they placed a metal hat-like device on his head and
electrocuted him. The security police also poured water on his
head while he was being electrocuted. Mr. Mamba passed out but
the beating continued. In addition to the torture, Mr. Mamba was
not allowed to bath nor did he have tap water for approximately a
month. On July 10, 1987, the security police released Mr. Mamba.
But the torture did not stop. Twice a month, every month, through
1990, the security police snatched Mr. Mamba, took him to the
Bothaville police station, and interrogated and tortured him. On
January 5, 1990, at approximately two o'clock in the morning, the
security police entered Mr. Mamba's home and took him to Kgotsong
police station where they beat him, electrocuted him and tortured
him for four hours. In September 1990, because of constant police
harassment, Mr. Mamba went back into hiding. On New Year's Day
1991, the local police found Mr. Mamba and subsequently kicked and
punched him. Mr. Mamba was hospitalized. On February 11, 1991,
tired of the constant police harassment, Mr. Mamba decided to
leave the country. However, the security police detained Mr.
Mamba. They beat and tortured Mr. Mamba and again he was
hospitalized.
Micheal Mbele, born on October 31, 1944 was politically active in
a union as a shop steward and was also a UDF member. Because of
Mr. Mbele's political activities the Special Security Police
detained and tortured Mr. Mbele during 1986. For three straight
days police beat and shocked Mr. Mbele with electric pipes, in
addition to choking Mr. Mbele with a rubber tire. As a result of
his torture Mr. Mbele lost his hearing. Mr. Mbele's suffering
continued for eleven more months as Police placed him in solitary
confinement. Mr. Mbele's torment continues today as depression
and nightmares plague him.
Charles Hlatshwayo, a member of the ANC, was beaten and tortured by
the Botswana police in 1990. A police informer, pretending to
work for the ANC, lured Mr. Hlatshwayo and his colleagues into a
police trap. The police then tortured Mr. Hlatshwayo. They
handcuffed him, beat him unconscious, and poured cold water over
him to revive him. Then the police inserted electric wires into
Mr. Hlatshwayo penis and shocked him until he passed out. The
police also choked Mr. Hlatshwayo with a rubber tube. The police
tortured Mr. Hlatshwayo for three weeks, until he was placed in
detention. Mr. Hlatshwayo urinated blood for six months following
his torture. The electrical shock caused severe damage to Mr.
Hlatshwayo's spine and vocal cords. He is now confined to a
wheelchair and cannot talk.
...
Peggy Salumane was arrested and tortured at Protea Police station
on September 27, 1982. Despite Peggy's pregnancy, the Police
suffocated her with a plastic bag and handcuffed her during her
detention. She was also sprayed with tear gas in addition to being
beaten and kicked. Every day for five weeks, the Police tortured
Peggy. As a result of the torture, Peggy not only developed
asthma but also had a miscarriage. Peggy torment continues because
of her nightmares and distorted vision. Peggy's uterus also had
to be removed because of the torture.
...
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Thandiwe Shezi was tortured and raped by the Security Police
beginning in 1988. On September 8th of that year, police stormed
into Ms. Shezi's home, and beat and strangled her in front of her
daughter. They then took Ms. Shezi to the Alexander Police station
where the torture began. She was handcuffed and a wet sack was
tied over her head. She was then taken to a room where she was
electrocuted for twenty minutes. Next she was raped repeatedly by
four police officers. In addition to physical torture, the Police
also worked on Ms. Shezi psychologically. The Police forced Ms.
Shezi to watch as they smashed another prisoner's penis in a
drawer. When the prisoner screamed out in pain they wanted Ms.
Shezi to laugh. On one occasion, the Police took Ms. Shezi
outside, stripped her naked and tied her to a tree. They smeared
her legs with butter, opened them wide, and threw ants all over
her. The ants crawled into her vagina. On at least one occasion,
while Ms. Shezi was being electrocuted was mixed with acid was
poured over her head. Because of the torture, Ms. Shezi could not
eat solid food for almost a month. Ms. Shezi has lost all
interest for sexual intercourse. And still suffers from
nightmares, a sore vagina, and trauma.
ARBITRARY DETENTION
Thabiso Samuel Motsie was detained on December 23, 1986 under the
State of Emergency. During his imprisonment, the Police tortured
him. He was beaten, kicked, assaulted and harassed. After three
weeks at the Bothaville Police station, he was transferred to
Kroonstad Prison, where his torturing continued. Motsie was
released on April 27, 1987, however, the police continued to
harass and assault Motsie. Motsie received no medical treatment
for his wounds while in prison. Lesiba Kekana, was unlawfully
arrested and detained without trial from June 1986 to February
1987. Because of his detention, Mr. Kekana lost his job as a
school teacher. On June 23, 1986 Mr. Kekana was detained under
the State of Emergency, which allowed for detention without trial.
During his detention he was tortured. Mr. Kekana was released in
February 1987. Mr. Kekana's detention delayed his studies for a
year and now he cannot get a job with the Department of Education.
...
Motlaletsatsi Molatedi was detained in June 1986 under the State of
Emergency. During her imprisonment, the Police tortured and
interrogated Motlaletsatsi. Motlaletsatsi spent a total of nine
months between Allanridge Police Station and Kroonstad Prison.
Because of the torture suffered during her detention,
Motlaletsatsi now has difficulty hearing, bleeding from the nose,
and other bodily illnesses. Motlasletsatsi also has mental
depression as a result of her treatment during her detention.
Simon Molotsi was detained on June 12, 1986 under the State of
Emergency. During his detention, Simon was assaulted and
electrically shocked. On August 29, 1986, Simon was transferred to
Kroonstad Prison, where the torture continued. The Police
handcuffed him and poured ten liters of water around his body.
Simon was released in 1987. Despite his release, the Police still
harass Simon by performing random searches of his home.
Robert Makana was detained in September 1986 under the State of
Emergency. During his detention he was beaten and tortured.
After spending three months at St. Albans Prison, Mr. Markana was
transferred to Steyn Prison. He was released in May 1987. Mr.
Markana was also detained in July 1985 for one month. Because of
his imprisonment, Mr. Markana lost his job.
...
Azariel Molebeleli was first detained in 1985 after the riots at
the Mophate Secondary School. The Security Police went Azariel's
home a two o'clock in the morning and sent him to Klenksdorp
prison. He was detained there for seven days. After his release,
Azariel returned to school. Soon after he returned, Azariel was
expelled from school. He was detained again in June 1986 under the
State of Emergency. He was sent to Wesselsbrook Police station
for a month, then transferred to Kroonstad prison where he spent
a year. In 1991, Azariel decided to leave the country and go to
Botswana. Unfortunately, he was caught by the Security Police and
imprisoned at Mega City Police Station, where he was tortured. Two
weeks later he was transferred to Virgina Police station. He
remained at Virgina Police Station for only seven days, until he
was released.
Moses Hlongwane was detained under the State of Emergency on June
17, 1986. His studies were disrupted until May 13, 1987, when he
was released. In August 1990, Moses was detained by the
Bophuthatswana Defence Force when he was trying to flee to
Botswana. He spent two weeks at Matikeng Police Station under
hard conditions. He was then sent to Virginia Police Station where
he was tortured for one week and released. Even after his
release, the police continue to harass Moses.
This material is being reposted for wider distribution by
Africa Action (incorporating the Africa Policy Information
Center, The Africa Fund, and the American Committee on Africa).
Africa Action's information services provide accessible
information and analysis in order to promote U.S. and
international policies toward Africa that advance economic,
political and social justice and the full spectrum of human rights.
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