Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
24 April 1997
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS HEARINGS IN PARYS
APRIL 29 (TUESDAY) TO APRIL 30 (WEDNESDAY)
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will listen to at least 21 cases of murder, torture, disappearances necklacing of victims and other forms of gross human rights violations during a two day sitting in Parys, in the Free State newt week.
The three-member panel of the Human Rights Violations committee of the TRC, chaired by Commissioner Richard Lyster, will hold the hearings at the local town Hall in the corner of Kort and Phillip Street. The sitting will be on Tuesday April 29 and Wednesday April 30, on both days proceedings will commence at 9am.
Although in most of the cases that will be heard this week, members of the security forces of the old regime are named as perpetrators, in some 9incidents members of gangs like the "Eagles" and members of political organisation are fingered by some of the victims.
One other thing that stands out in this hearing is that most of the perpetrators who have been named by the victims of gross human rights violations and families of people who were murdered, have indicated that they will also attend the hearings, in order to publicly defend themselves and where necessary to cross-examine people who make such allegations against them.
Cases that will be heard in Parys next week include the assassination of a leading Azapo member, Petrus Mahlomola Maitse in Bochabelo in May 1986.
Mrs Selina Puditsoane will also testify about the brutal murder of her husband Jack Khetlane Mofokeng who was allegedly killed by police when residents in Zamdela tried to forcefully occupy land in the area in April 1992.
the commission will also hear how members of the Eagles abducted, tortured and killed a well-known community leader Samuel Ngaka Mokoena in Mamafubedu in Petrus Steyn in 1991.
Trade unionist Maduna Mokoening Isaac will also relate how he was detained while addressing a union meeting at a bus stop in parys, taken away by police and severely assaulted and tortured in October 1987.
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