0 6 / 2 6 / 1 9 9 2 1 3 : 5 8 F R O M Ho 1y T r i n i t * B r a a n TO 8 3 7 6 2 3 2 P. 01

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B I S H O P S ' C O N F E R E N C Ef'.o ii’l I'kt T(

SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 1992

decision* t o ^ r e a k of n a t i o n I S i t h ^ ^ 1 ^chn.1, _____ _ n f,g0CiaCi0ns wich th€ government hav

ss ’ e

Givensen t shock w aves 'a ;ound "so u Jh “A fr i“ a ‘ a n r in d ls d t h e ^ l T ^Che dramatic changes brought about by President V « given Che progress at CODESA, two questions p?edominatI ’ whar has gone wrong? Where do we go to from here?

« l U c t a n «° L Ce n t e r r i f o i$ the Nationalist Party Government ■ s reiuccance to enter into a new dispensation in which it b i n r, rbe in control. Mr de Klerk has certainly brought about enmp

T f Snd !?UCi? need?d However his farty* t£e S T L r i t vof whites and those within the black communicy who have gained

fJ ° * ^ !n H par5 eid sy st™ 3re l0athe to give ip Cheir privileged status and enter a new South Africa built on accepted democratic principles and practice. CODESA II failed because of th? Government and its allies refusal or inability to alcept that their privileged position could not be written into and protected in a new constitution. Mr de Klerk and his colleagues failed to recognise that the A N C s compromise offer of a 7 0 ? . v o t e f o r agreement on key articles in a new constitution was the best offer they could make without Mr Mandela and his allies

Essentially M?SdiV5? c£m Pl e C e }y their constituencies, ssentlally, Mr de Klerk overplayed his hand at CODESA II anri

m^S!» yf c^ance to clinch the best deal available. It was as ic Mr de Klerk interpreted the March referendum result ov-w

S S S S E t W 1” t,3tl0naUs£ ?3^ ’s rather K ? ’1’®

members of the sec u r i t y ^ f o r c e s ^ w h o ^ r e s t i H ^ b e n t ^ ^ t h 1*0^ th8"strategy policies of the oast a i ™ / l r totalstrategy policies of the p a s t ' a S j / H destroving r t e ^ N C ^ n d ' i t

■fisrjss'ofs /? conci dmanifestation of this y police is buC another

The past few months have brought to H a h rthere has been half-hearted or o n l v numerous cases in whichpolitically related killings nn u" efforts to investigate

Of police attempts to cover uD secur?rv 3"d Case after « s e

ofv?Mvsmnant u «

peraons. Including senior judgf s h e ^ o T e ^ e n ^ ^ X ^ s

i

N

!5»,

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Phont : (0]2) J2)-44$Sf9/0 140 Visa git SCrtti ,rar: (012) 176*67 ]gPretoria, 0002 Js

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been either Co deny them or, if the evidence was incontrovertible, to exonerate itself by declaring that such action was not government policy.

The Government refuses to accept that the security forces and in particular the police, have absolutely no credibility whatsoever with the majority of the population. The calls for the inter­national community., to monitor the violence are directly related to this fact. So is the call to have the security forces placed under multi-party control. The Government's failure to act at critical times^lends credence to the perception that It is not seriously committed to ending the violence and getting the peace process on track.

By making these points there is no intention of denying the extent or seriousness of the violence that has been perpetrated against members of the IFP or the police. There are no guiltless parties in this situation and all perpetrators of violence should be brought to justice. However, it is primarily the responsibility of the government of the day to see that violence is stamped out and not fomented.

As if his failure to act on violence was not enough, Mr de Klerk's reluctance or inability to take decisive action against members of his government, state employees and others involved in multi-million rand corruption and mismanagement scandals has further brought into question his credibility.' While millions of people are living in destitution, money has been squandered and stolen on an unprecedented scale. In several cases the money was actually intended for the most needy.

The decision of the ANC and its allies to terminate the negotiation process is based not simply on the tragedy of Boipatong but on an analysis of the overall development over the past two years. The Government has been summonsed to take practical steps to meet a number of demands relating to the security forces, the curbing of violence, the release of all political prisoners. It has been called upon to commit itself to holding democratic elections for a sovereign constituent assembly which will draft and adopt a n ew constitution, and to p u t t i n f i n place an interim government of national unity. These demands are much the same as those of April 1991 and are actually contained in agreements between the Government and the ANC but which have not been fulfilled.

However understandable the fears may be of those who have been in a privileged position for decades, whether as members of the white community or as beneficiaries of apartheid structures of the past, they cannot be allowed to frustrate the legitimate political aspirations of the majority of South Africa's inhabitants. Neither should they be the reason for condoning the on-going violence, death and destruction in the wider community

0 6 / 2 6 / 1 9 9 2 1 3 : 5 9 F R O M H o l a T r i n i t y B r a a n

r p I i 1 i 1 6T O 8 3 7 6 2 3 2 P. 03

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Having failed to grasp the opportunity at CODESA II to set South Atrica on the road to a new dispensation in which all its citizens would have equal status, regardless of race or

c Mr de KIerk and his allies must not be allowed to fallSouth Africa a second time. The role of the international community in ensuring this cannot be underestimated. T he-v*<:' ’* <; urgent need: 11

to let the government know that its excuses for failing to act decisively on the violence cannot be accepted.

p ref sure ic can on che government to immediate a decisive steps to curtail the violence

which continues to wreck havoc in our society.

for the international community to get involved in monitoring the violence and the police's investisat'ors of the deaths of activists and community members

not to aid and abet the government in its attempt to d e n v

^a J0rity Of South Africans a future democratically c ed government that will not be hamstrung by special

provisions to protect the selfish minority interests of those who have wielded power for decades.

Brother Jude Pieterse SECRETARY GENERAL 24 JUNE 199 rv

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^.i36U016.00l 18JUN92 14:54/15:21 GMT ^THERN AFRICA CHURCH NEUS

FAX 44 81 568 8647 (CRN: N41 )TO: 01027123266218 ATTN: SACBC j ^ v ■Fx'

to: EDITORS AND AFRICA DESKS 9 . ,FROM: SOUIHERN AFRICA CHURCH NEUS 1

Johannesburg: June 18, 1992

se”l o S i“ VS INKATHA ATTACK LIKE "d*ugged crazed killers had been

u e Z Z t£ : J h!r t r t r , * T le ’ ,ncludi"* and children,the Inkatha r I "i " hundreds of hostel dwellers loyal to

set1 loose JU*TIca"e ' 1 ike drugged-crazed killers had beenI prayed Tt t i l l ,N°°nen °FM' after wis“i"9 the scene,

prayed at fifteen hones/' he said, the bodies still lying

IbZ !n laSt "1S,ht< "S°*e bodies uere u"der theirtteotter liTJi it™ ^ *idiled Uith bullets' a"dF r 2 l ! \ h6r "other' also dead fr°" gunshots."

this I T “ ?!? PftrI iS in "earby Seb°ke"»' *pent four hoursi L Z l J S -i 9 ^° U9h thE rUinS and ^ y l n g “ith survivors.Jhe priest said residents allege some of the Inkatha mob uere

Seen^nona 1°,"°* Vehicles' *"d «••* «hite faces uere* J"® V** ki]lers. invaders moved at random, slaying uith

guns and knives, destroying the houses of those they had murdered.

himself !! v * *tate of *hock," said Fr Noonan, uho uashimself stunned by the carnage.

m Jr*tat®?e"5 { r0n the Johannesburg-based Human Rights Commission C “ ^ at r- OU- of a" had prompted residents to call

*!•!>?? ?! for protection early last night, but there had been

*h * it? 06 lTlff any P°siti^ reaction.*' Residents also reported that a white person close to Inkatha had said "the ambulances must be on standby, they are going to be used."

All indications are that the Inkatha mob came from the Kua-Hadala Hostel, connected uith the ISCOR steel company near Boipatong township. South African Council of Churches staff members have warned repeatedly that the hostel "is central to the reign of Violence in the Vaal area.”

In its statement, the Human Rights Commission said "elements wi in Inkatha and the Security Forces have an interest in fuelling t: >e violence ... fulfilling their oun prophecy that the ANC's programme of mass action uill raise the political temperature."

^ I 4 0[ / 0°f| l0 *r® aS n o t M "S to the" ln this criminal gameOf destabilisation, the Human Rights Commission said. CSACN)

’ S O U T H E R N 1TH ECUMENICAL HUMAN SIGHTS ORGANISATIONS " S0UIHERH AFRICA. NEUS MAY BE USED WITHOUT FEE BUT UITH ATTRIBUTION.

Message Ref: 9579196U016001 Page 1 (only page)

*

124 Central Avenue,Mayfair, Johannesburg 2092 P. O. Box 45096,Mayfair, Johannesburg 2108 Telephone (011) 837-4954 Telefax (011) 837-4995 Pager (011) 339-5674 Code 27030

BOIPATONG MASSACRE 17/6/92

DIARY OF EVENTS

Days before the massacre there were rumours that there would be an attack on Boipatong.

Residents notified the police.

Because of the rumour residents barricaded the streets.

WEDNESDAY MORNING:17/6/92

A number of South African Police (SAP) in camouflage uniform (Internal Sability Unit) (ISU) came into the township in hippos and began clearing the streets.

From statements taken by Peace Action :

"On Wednesday morning police travelling in hippos wearing camouflage uniform came and removed the barricades. I did not ask why they removed the barricades because I am too afraid of them. Throughout that day there was a heavy police presence. It is most unusual for this to happen but we thought that it was because it was after June 16th and also the rumour of a possible attack."

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON:

Police left late afternoon.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:

1. 7.30 p.m.First call to Peace Action (PA) from Sebokeng.Caller expressed concern regarding an impending attack,because another resident had received a telephone call saying "don't use your car, there's going to be trouble." The caller had had difficulty in getting any positive reaction from the police in his area and therefore called Peace Action.

2. 2nd call from Vaal area. Caller saying that she had been tipped off by somebody that had been told by white counterparts of Inkatha that " the ambulances must be on standby. They are going to be used."

3. 7.44p.m. Colonel Gouws from the SAP Witwatersrand division returned monitors call. Monitor reported above calls to him, gave him caller's name and telephone number. He said he would take over the matter.

4. Lookouts were posted in the streets because of the alert. At about 9 p.m. SAP arrived and ordered people off the streets.

Shots were fired.

From the bulk of statements taken by PA most people report:

attacks started at about +10 p.m.

"Zulu" was the language spoken by the vigilantes.

They were wearing headbands.

Weapons: Guns, Pangas, Axes, Assegais etc.

White men when seen were: in camouflage uniform (ISU), had guns.

some wore balaclavas

a few wore plainclothes, also had guns.

Transportation: vigilantes came in hippos and on foot

Statement:

I looked out of my window and saw a group of men climbing out of a hippo wearing something like a white cloth around their

foreheads. 1 saw camouflaged uniform police coming out of the casspir as well. The men with headbands had pangas,guns and AK 47's etc. the police carried long guns."

Hippos/Casspirs: spotlight the area.

Looting reported..radios, TV's, money.

m ,

PRESS STATEMENT

BOIPATONG 18 JUNE 1992

Peace Action has been receiving messages of fear and reports of violence for the last 362 days. Last night 17 June, the eve of one of the most horrific massacres, we once again received me s s a g e s .

Messages of warning came through on Peace Action's 24 hour telephone monitoring service. The monitor informed the police, Col Gouws, that the messages indicated that an attack was imminent but the actual locality was not clear. Another report came from two sources which indicated that some white persons had told them to have the ambulances ready as they would be needed that night.

Col Gouws received these reports and the warning that maybe the ambulances would be used to transport the attackers. Col Gouws told the Peace Action monitor that he would get the police to look into the matter. Col Gouws was communicated with (phone) at 19h46. During the field monitors visit to the area it was found that the attacks took place after 22H00. The telephone monitor received a message at 04h00 (18 June) that killings had occurred. Col Gouws was again communicated with, this time his reply was that it was difficult for the police to enter, other than using armoured vehicles, as the residents were stoning the police vehicles.

Field Monitors went out to Boipatong during the day and spoke to some people in the crowds waiting for the Press Conference.

Generally it was heard that the some attackers came over a small bridge going into Boipatong. Other workers on the Eastern side reported that they had seen casspirs off load men who went to the "Joe Slovo" area. Attacks were executed simultaneously and all hell was let loose. From these stories it seems that this was no haphazard incident, but a fairly well thought out one. When asked, was there any police intervention, the answer was that there was no apparent intervention.

It was said that a particular house had had its fence knocked down by a police vehicle. The possessions in this house were taken by the police. It was also stated that police and police vehicles broke down doors to facilitate the attackers entrance.

124 Central Avenue,Mayfair, Johannesburg 2092 P. O. Box 45096,Mayfair, Johannesburg 2108 Telephone (011) 837-4954 Telefax (011)837-4995 Pager (011) 339-5674 Code 27030

The people of Boipatong demand that:- the police be removed from the township- the KwaMadala hostel be removed- all possessions which have been taken be returned- the culprits be found and arrested and that this be

reported to the community- NUMSA & COSATU must push for the closure of KwaMadala- ANC meet with the Government and demand that this event

be addressed

Peace Action wishes to draw attention to the initial response of Police Spokesperson Craig Rotze where he puts the blame for this event on the ANC's call for mass action. His response is nothing short of cold blooded politicking.

It is time for President de Klerk to show positive and active concern by getting out to such areas himself and listening to the people in these areas of violence. More important, Peace Action demands that President de Klerk and the Government take responsibility for what has happened this night of the 17/18 June 1992 as the police had been fore-warned by the people of the area and also by Peace Action.

ALL PEOPLES OF THIS COUNTRY need to be confident in the forces that are supposedly there for protection.

Latest count of dead received from the Hospital mortuary is 47 and 41 injured (this at 14h50).

For more information contact:Venitia Govender at 837-4954.

124 Central Avenue,Mayfair, Johannesburg 2092 P. O. Box 45096,Mayfair, Johannesburg 2108 Telephone (011) 837-4954 Telefax (011) 837-4995 Pager (011) 339-5674 Code 27030

A T T E N T I O N :

JOE LO U W S A T U R D A Y ST A R

D A I R Y OF E V E N T SIn a d d i t i o n to the P e a c e Ac t i o n s t a t e m e n t , w h i c h you a l r eady h a v e .The f o l l o w i n g d e t a i l s are from o b s e r v a t i o n s and s t a t e m e n t s taken in Boi p a t o n g .

It is alleged that:1. On the 17th in the m o r n i n g the s t r e e t s in B o i p atong were b a r i c a d e d .2. D u r i n g the day the r e s i d e n t s r e c e i v e d i n f o r m a t i o n of an i m p e n d i n g attack. T h e y p r e p a r e d t h e m s e l v e s for the attack by p a t r o l l i n g the s t r e e t s . P e a c e A c t i o n w a s not i n f o r m e d during the d a y .

3. At 9pm a p o l i c e c o n t i n g e n t c a m e into the t o w n s h i p and ordered r e s i d e n t s off the s t r e e t and into t h e i r homes. At this time p e o p l e w e r e t e a r g a s s e d .4. W o r k e r s e n t e r i n g from the 2 p m - 1 0 p m s h i f t s from ne a r b y f a c t o r i e s (ISCOR, Metal box and C a p e Gate), saw police on the o u t s k i r t s of B o i p a t o n g . One g r o u p of p o l i c e w e r e on the west side and the o t h e r on the e a s t side. The g r o u p on the east side were d r o p p i n g off men fr o m the c a s s p i r s at d i f f e r e n t points next to the S l o v o s q u a t t e r camp. W h i l e the g r o u p on the west side were w i t h a g r o u p of a r medm e n . T h e ar e a n e x t to the S l o v o s q u a t t e r c a m p we r e the hardest

h i t .

5. S h o r t l y a f t e r the a t t a c k began both g r o u p s from the esat and w e s t s i d e s c o n v e r g e d on the camp. A p p a r e n t l y t h e r e was no police i n t e r v e n t i o n i n s t e a d p o l i c e were seen a s s i s t i n g the attackers. P o l i c e v e h i c l e s broke- down fences, w a l l s and doors. These houses w e r e looted.

P e a c e A c t i o n informed Col. B o u w s of a p o s s i b l e a t t a c k at 1 9 H 4 6 ( 1 7 June) i n f o r m i n g him of a p o s s i b l e a t t ack. Even t h o u g h the m o n i t o r did n o t s p e c i f y the e x a c t ar e a of the p o s s i b l e attack. The rnon i tor

did s a y th a t the threat of the a t t a c k c ould hit any ar e a in the Vaal. T h a t was the m o t i v a t i o n for the m o n i t o r p h o n i n g Col. G o u w s and n o t a local police s t a t i o n in the Vaal. The l o c a l i t y of the p o s s i b l e a t t a c k was s p e c i f i e d , the r a t i o n a l e was that the w h o l e of the Vaal w ould be u n d e r p o l i c e s u r v e i l a n c e , to p r e v e n t any a t t a c k in pa r t of the V a a l . It w o u l d a l s o have been e x p e c t e d that the p o l i c e patrol around the K w a - M a d a l a hostel. S i n c e a l m o s t all r e p o r t s of i n c i d e n t s in the Vaal c l a i m that this hostel is being used as a launc h i n g pad for a t t a c k s on the com m u n i t y .T he o t h e r d i s t u r b i n g fact, points to r e s i d e n t ' s c l a i m s that the po l i c e w e r e in B o i p a t o n g at 9pm, if a call was put out to all p o l i c e u n i t s in the Vaal, s u r e l y t h i s g r o u p of p o l i c e m e n would have been on s t a n d b y to a v e r t an a t t ack.

18 J u n e 1992,

P e a c e A c t i o n m o n i t o r s r e c e i v e d a n o t h e r call from B o i p h e l o n g , an a r e a on the d o o r s t e p of B o i p a t o n g . T h e c a l l e r said that at ar o u n d Sam y o u t h s f r o m the t o w n s h i p w h o w e r e on patrol, saw h i p p o ' s d r o p p i n g p e o p l e off in and a r o u n d B o i p h e l o n g . F o r t u n a t e l y no i n c i d e n t w a s reported.

L A T E S T C O U N T 41 INJURED 47 D E A D

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EVELYN RAMOELETSI (22) 97 JOE SLOVO SQUATTER

(aister to Katherine see statement.)

I heard a noise and woke up to investigate. I asked my mother what was happening and she said the Zulus were attacking. We quickly ran to a disused shack to hide.I was already hiding in the shackAs I ran I saw the attackers and saw my brother and my mother being attacked. My mother was just entering the shack when she was attacked, my brother had no chance as he hadn't entered the shack yet. They were using assegais and stabbing and stabbing. I just kept quiet. The black attackers said "Die you dog!" "Die you

dog!" They were speaking Zulu. The whites kept quiet.I saw everything from where T was hiding. The attackers were 3 whites with balaclavas and the others were black. They wore half overcoats (lumber jackets) which looked black.I saw the whites firing shots at my sister in law.

HUSBAND:SIMON(DEAD)

NEEDS: COUNSELLOR

ELIZABETH RAMOELETSI: 97 JOE SLOVO SQUATTER

FLORINAH DLAMINI: (DIVORCED AND UNEMPLOYED)110 BARALONG STREET.BOIPATONG

NEEDS; COUNSELLING

At about 10.15 p.m. we were all asleep. We heard a noise outside and when we investigated we saw a group of men. They were wearing striped headbands and IFP T shirts all were wearing the same.5 men came into the room the rest were in the house. I cannot

tell if they were all black men as it was very dark, the lights were off. They had broken the door down and then began breaking our things in the dining room. I had run into the bedroom and the leader of the group came straight for me and stabbed me 3 times in my thigh with an assegai.As he was stabbing me he shouted "these dogs must be killed!"He spoke Zulu and the others didn't say anything but began stab­bing my mother with spears. Then the one who had stabbed me went for my daughter (21) and started stabbing her. The others who had left the room came back and told him to come but he kept on stab­bing my daughter saying "this dog must die". When he was satisfied she was dead he left. Her two month old daughter and my

3 year old were left unharmed.

My mother is in hospital has had an operation on her stomach.We were taken to hospital at abou 11.15 p.m. When we rst p one they said they were busy. I believe that Maria may ave )ee

saved if they had come earlier.

19th June 1992

Samson Hakabela 3/ years

83 Bapedl Street

1" I was woken up by some noise and shooting at. some time past ten.

-1 wa- looking out the window - my house -faces the camp.

I see a group of people mostly black with red and white headbands with spears.

4. At the back o-f this group there were others with pistols who were white.

-j. I he group was dispersing into the camp and the group with the guns, the whites, was shooting at the people running away.

6. The group with the guns had private clothes on.

7. I he black group was saying: Mandela's sons we want to kill them; Where*s the comrade?; Where's the gun?.

The people with guns moved behind those with spears offering protection.

9. When the ’phone in my house started ringing, they broke my window.

10. Because of my high fence they could not get in. They tried to lift my dustbin to use to get in but. I had locked the dustbin to the fence and they couldn't pick it up and use it.

11. 1 called the ambulance at Sebokeng. They told me that I must call back in ten minutes as they could not release the ambulance without the supervisor’s permission. I called back in ten minutes and they told me the same thing telling me to call back in five minutes, they did ask me whether or not the police were here and I said no.' They said I must, •’phone the police station and then they can release the ambulance,, The ambulance must have come about 20 mins later.

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COMMENT: PEACE ACTION

Preasident De Klerk's response to his reception at Boipotong was most insensitive. It showed little understanding of the suffering

and anger of the residents.

He is after all the symbol of their suffering under the apartheid government. The years of repression and now more recently the murderous attacks on the community while in their homes and in

their beds.

His response has been emothional and very shallow. Not befitting a leader at this time. He faced a community racked by anger and sorrow at the senseless killing and maiming of their loved ones. He has discounted out of hand the many eye witness accounts given to human rights workers, journalists, church men and a host of others about the collusion of the security forces in the attack.He has not questioned the tardy response of the police to the warning that was received. Is it then surprising he was

unwelcome?

To react with threats of implementing harsher measures e.g. state of emergency onto the victims of such an attack is nothing short

of preposterous.

To blame the massacre on the ANC mass action campaign is ir responsible and can only discredit him. This is not a time for politicking. The Nationalist Party is also seeking to retain power therefore the allegations levelled at other political groups can equally apply to them, and their response to the call for mass action was one of setting the stage in predicting

violence when none was justified.

Instead of threats he must now take cognisance of the many state­ments from residents. He must accept the statements without names or addresses where people refuse to divulge these. Too many people giving evidence have been eliminated when giving such

evidence. The statements taken by monitors have been taken in­dividually without any pressures and without prompting. Through the years the information gathered by monitors have proved cor­rect although the government was quick to deny them at the time.

His responsibility is to bring his security forces under control. To make them into a peace keeping force. He must question who

gave the order for the casspirs/ hippos and men to be sent out on this mission. He must question why his security forces did not immediately search the Kwa Madala Hostel. How could he accept that his police were unable to disarm and arrest the group facing

them after the attack? (reported in the Star?)

Monitors present on Saturday believe that if the security forces present at the stadium had been less confrontntionist and more amenalble to allaying the fears of the community as to the iden­

5

tity of the dead man, further deaths would have been avoided.

Monitors noted the arrogance of the police.

Hippos and casspirs were speeding along the dusty streets al­though they are barricaded mindless of the danger to pedestrians

and more especially to children.

Monitors noted that when the community gathered instead of withdrawing and maintaining a low profile and allowing tilings to cool down the police assembled in a confrontational way with guns at the ready. That there was no violence then was just

fortuitous.

ALLEGATIONS MADE TO PEACE ACTION ON THE 20/6/92.

There were clear accounts from eye witnesses of police not only being present and transporting the attackers into the area of Roipotong but also participating in attacks on residents.From the reports it becomes clear that this was a well organised

operation.

Casspirs brought in and off loaded attackers who were armed with

pangas, assegais, axes and guns.

II i ppos/c.'inspi rs used spotlights to assist attackers by lighting,

up the area.

There were allegations of looting e.g. TV's and money was

demanded.

Elimination of eye witnesses:The fear of giving information was evident. One woman who^ had evidence according to her friends refused to talk to 1 eace

Action. Others talked but refused to give their names or addresses. However, some people gave their names on the under

standing they would not he divulged. Peace Action must honour this undertaking as witnesses have on many occasions been eliminated e.g. Coldstone Commission, Carletonvi.il o and

elsewhere.

QUESTIONS ASKED:

PA has not taken eye witness accounts of this but it has been al­

leged to them that on Wednesday morning municipal workers cleared the barricades from the streets. If this is correct why was this done?

Why did the police order residents off the streets before the attack?

Where were they so shortly afterwards when the attack occurred?

Why did Colonel Gouws not contact them to tell them of PA warning while there were in Boipotong at 9 p.m.?

Why when the attack did take place did it take so long to get there?

Why was Kwa Madala Hostel not immediately searched and the per­petrators of the atrocities arrested?

Are the security forces "unable" or "unwilling"to do so?

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372 PQ-

! A X ] to. _M m T E Z Z i L t PAGE-. _i__OF. __ATTENTiON Or. _------- --------- ~— 7-- j—FROM: rt 'TiJOMSj V ..........DATE: J<JdJj£j3A

COMPANY.TAX NO: ......333 - <2, 3 9 C> f Mt-nWwfromaM

STATEMENTS TAKEN BY ROB & OLL1E

B O P E L O ^ G

SATURDAY 20TH JUME 1992

jOHW MALUKA, PASTOR, EMMANUEL ETHIOPIAN CHURCH, AGE 27

130 MATTHEWS STREcT

(016) 33-5596

At 10pm last night I was oatreihng in Matthews Street with the comrades ! .s*w

policemen in 8 hippo. Tearsmoke and rubber bullets were shot from the nip

without any warning. A young man, Pakiso Matebesi. was crossing me street at

the house of Mrt Ol.fants. The police in tns hippo shot him with ,3 rubber bullet.

He suffered a wound in the ieh shou:der,

At midnight I was coming 'to n the direct-on ot the NG Kerk ! was e >ne met some comrades who tcld me t s r the police were shooting at Mthemr There were four block >c t -n from the Bopelong office patrolling on Mthembu Street to P lan Jtreel. Another black policeman came from t < .isr side of Matthews Sue., e was waiting under the fifth free in the street opposite my home. I told the con 'ados to disperse because the po!>ce were coming. While

we were discussing this, the shoeing started. The policeman under the tree was

shooting birdshot. We triad to run away tu the north, but the other policemen

start* j shooting. ! entered the yard oi Mr Seholoba, ’ 34 Matthews Street, the

shooting continued.* 1 hearfl a young me «, P J e Tsotsetsi, saying "They have got

me I” 1 asked Mr Seholoba to open tf t door Me opened the door and I entered,

i sat inside the nouse for a *ew minutes. Then I went outside again and checked

other pemts. I en te red Tsolo Street and met a comrade who was looking for transport for " ; - Tsotsersi to take him to the hospital, because he had sustained

a serious injury.

'Monitors' note : Ws noticed damage to the front ot 138 Bokwe Street,

evidently Iron iv jw w t ’ Thr’ resident, Judith Kekana,

requires her windows tc oe repaired.

SYDNEY MAHLAKU

607 MOTSWARE STREET

{016) 33 8464

After midnight this morning ( was standing n Matthews Street with other comrades. There were three policemen in p'ain clothes. ! recognized two of them; one was Fetsi Dithlakonyane and the other, whose name > do not know, hves in the same street as Fetsi. I did not know the third one. These police are in the local municipal police force. They started shooting at us. We ran away to the corner of Matthews and Bokwe Streets. More poiice came from the north in Matthews Street and they joined in the shooing, I was shot by one of the policemen coming from the north. They were also >n plain clothes and ! recognized one ot them as

"Lucky" He and the others with him were also local municipal pO"Ge. I ajituB that the incident was a planned attack. They had been patrolling the township, which

was not a normal occurrence. Tho whoie incident was entirely unprovoked I sustained three injuries to my head and injuries to my chest and legs I was taken

to the hospital in a neighbour's vehicle.

PETHR MAKHANYA

155 TSOLO STREET

(016) 31-1342

Last night I was transporting Sydney Mahlaku and Pule Tsotsetsi to Sebokeng Hospital The police asKed me what i was doing. When I explained, they took my

registration number

Monitors' note: John Mai ika and Sydney Mahlaku reported that another

comrade, Meshack Boy Mm*, was killed :n the shooting incident shortly after

m idnight last night t icident as that sport< Mahlaku, i.e. the

second incident repo, ted by John Maiuka He died from bullet wounds on the

corner of Sukwe and Mo ihl« i Stre€ H«s bod\ vr as emoved by force this

morning by the police, m sp te of protest- by the residents John Maiuka .eports

that the police have opened a case 1 : death of Meshack Mzizi was confirmed

to us by his sister, Joyce Mzizi, of 1175 Matthews Street <016} 33-5405. U was

not appropriate to ask her any q e.%. c -

F A X JC . ^ , d A O S > ^

FAX NO: -Q2±.

TO:PAGE: OF:

ATTENTION OF: ^, n n M . V Q y ( A A > £ l

FAX NO:

DATE

19th June 1992

Bopalong

Bopalong is a small township about 5 kms from Boipatong, We went there to visit someone who had tipped us off the niofe\!fc before about the attack in Boipatong.

This woman told us that she had received a tip-off from a worker in the Ambulance Dept, saying that people must not use the ambulances tonight. 01lie has the name and address of this contact and I believe we should see her urgently.

We need to establish:

t which ambulance department she works for;

t how she got her information

Ollie also spoke with one of the people who had been on guard the night before and who saw many hippos in the area the night before. He has this

statement.

REPORT ON BOIPATONG 18 JUNE 1992

Ollie, Shelagh and Laura Adams went to SharpeviUe and collected Sam Ntepe (14h45). We noticed that people were putting up barriers (rocks) in the road. We were informed that further down the road in which Sam Ntepe lives, someone had been necklaced earlier on in the morning. We were told that this person had boasted about being one of the killers of the night. We were told that the young comrades had taken action and had "executed" him. Apparently the body was still there.

We arrived (15h05) on the outskirts of Boipatong where there were many army and police vehicles (hippos, casspirs). We drove by with no interference from them. We came to the road leading into Boipatong. This was heavily barricaded. Ollie and Sam spoke to the people guarding the entrance and they waved us through. As we drove through the street, which was heavily laden with broken fencing, rocks and stones, branches, a red four wheel drive van approached as if going out. We stopped and said hello and found out they were the Canadian press. We went further on down the road looking for Dr Nhlapo Primary School where we would find the Civic. There were hundreds of people milling around. We were told that they were waiting to hear from the civic and to attend the Press Conference.

We found the school, parked the car and entered. We made contact with Paul Sithole who is the Publicity Secretary for the Civic. He gave us the following information:

Last night (17 June) a heavy contingent of police in casspirs teargassed and shot at people who were on the streets. This happened at about 9.00pm (21h00). The people on the street were people who are part of the local patrolling units and the workers returning from their shift of duty. The police ordered all to get off the streets.There had been rumours that there would be an attack after the rallies which had been held on Tuesday 16 June. That night, 17 June, police casspirs had been noticed on the periphery of Boipatong. They had big search lights on and these were focused at Iscor. The workers reported that a group of men had been seen crossing the small bridge leading into Boipatong. On the East side workers, coming on and going off shift duties, saw casspirs off loading men (it was said these men wore red or white head bands). These men went in the direction of the "Joe Slovo Park" area. The attack started simultaneously in these different areas. These was no apparent police intervention on behalf of the residents. It was stated that a particular house had had its fence knocked down by a police vehicle, that possessions had been taken.The police were also seen to remove some of the dead bodies.

PRESS CONFERENCE The people began to gather around in the grounds of the school. Sakkie Macozoma chaired the proceedings, and called upon Mr. Sotsu to give the Statement from the Civic. The following is what I heard:

The Boipatong people are angry in seeing ±50 of the people slain. Attackers were brought in by casspirs. The Sebokeng Hospital had received the dead bodies and the police had also removed some of the bodies. On Tuesday 17 June warnings about an attack had been received, and these had been communicated to the police in Pretoria (to Capt. Bosman) who had said the matter must be referred to Capt Roos (Vaal) of the Reaction Unit. Capt Roos said that he had

received the message and that he would deploy his men. On Wednesday more information re an attack was received, and police were informed. Police were present on Wednesday night dispersing people from the streets using shots and teargas. Police had been seen by residents conveying men into the township. These men that were off loaded from the casspirs came from the KWA MADALA hostel. Attacks on the people broke out in different areas of the township. Police vehicles broke down doors and this helped the attackers to enter houses. The police have acted with arrogance.

Mr Sotsu continued to give the demands of the residents of Boipatong and also of the people of the Vaal. He stated them as follows:

- that the police be removed- that the Kwa Madala hostel be demolished and discontinued- that all possessions taken be returned- that arrests be made and the community informed of the arrests- that Numsa and COSATU push for the closure of Kwa Madala hostel- that the ANC meet with the Government and address this event (killings)- that the "peace structures" be reviewed

Messages were then given by Gertrude Shope, Sakkie Macozoma, Joe Slovo, a COSATU rep and Cyril Ramophosa.The main questions from Press were:

Will this jeopardise the negotiations? answer:

Violence had been declared an obstacle to negotiations. As there was so much violence ANC had compromised and said it could be dealt with in negotiations. This now in the event of the violence escalating has to be reviewed, in fact this could nor de-rail the negotiations,

question:What kind of International Force are the people looking for?

answer:In other violent situations in the world Independent Monitoring groups have been brought in. It is clear now that an International Monitoring group (UN EEC etc) is needed.

After the press Conference we walk around Joe Slovo Park and some of the other streets of the township and felt the atmosphere of horror and saw the broken houses.

REPORT ON BOIPATONG 18 JUNE 1992

Ollie, Shelagh and Laura Adams went to SharpeviUe and collected Sam Ntepe (14h45). We noticed that people were putting up barriers (rocks) in the road. We were informed that further down the road in which Sam Ntepe lives, someone had been necklaced earlier on in the morning. We were told that this person had boasted about being one of the killers of the night. We were told that the young comrades had taken action and had "executed" him. Apparently the body was still there.

We arrived (15h05) on the outskirts of Boipatong where there were many army and police vehicles (hippos, casspirs). We drove by with no interference from them. We came to the road leading into Boipatong. This was heavily barricaded. Ollie and Sam spoke to the people guarding the entrance and they waved us through. As we drove through the street, which was heavily laden with broken fencing, rocks and stones, branches, a red four wheel drive van approached as if going out. We stopped and said hello and found out they were the Canadian press. We went further on down the road looking for Dr Nhlapo Primary School where we would find the Civic. There were hundreds of people milling around. We were told that they were waiting to hear from the civic and to attend the Press Conference.

We found the school, parked the car and entered. We made contact with Paul Sithole who is the Publicity Secretary for the Civic. He gave us the following information:

Last night (17 June) a heavy contingent of police in casspirs teargassed and shot at people who were on the streets. This happened at about 9.00pm (21h00). The people on the street were people who are part of the local patrolling units and the workers returning from their shift of duty. The police ordered all to get off the streets.There had been rumours that there would be an attack after the rallies which had been held on Tuesday 16 June. That night, 17 June, police casspirs had been noticed on the periphery of Boipatong. They had big search lights on and these were focused at Iscor. The workers reported that a group of men had been seen crossing the small bridge leading into Boipatong. On the East side workers, coming on and going off shift duties, saw casspirs off loading men (it was said these men wore red or white head bands). These men went in the direction of the "Joe Slovo Park" area. The attack started simultaneously in these different areas. These was no apparent police intervention on behalf of the residents. It was stated that a particular house had had its fence knocked down by a police vehicle, that possessions had been taken.The police were also seen to remove some of the dead bodies.

PRESS CONFERENCE The people began to gather around in the grounds of the school. Sakkie Macozoma chaired the proceedings, and called upon Mr. Sotsu to give the Statement from the Civic. The following is what I heard:

The Boipatong people are angry in seeing ±50 of the people slain. Attackers were brought in by casspirs. The Sebokeng Hospital had received the dead bodies and the police had also removed some of the bodies. On Tuesday 17 June warnings about an attack had been received, and these had been communicated to the police in Pretoria (to Capt. Bosman) who had said the matter must be referred to Capt Roos (Vaal) of the Reaction Unit. Capt Roos said that he had

Collection Number: AK2672 Goldstone Commission BOIPATONG ENQUIRY Records 1990-1999 PUBLISHER: Publisher:- Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand Location:- Johannesburg ©2012

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