491 Days
Page 10
The Security Branch seems to be working under serious strains. On the 1st of May when Swanepoel spoke to me he was too furious when I made reference to the Lenkoe case but he battled to control his temper and he remained as calm and polite as ever. The Swanepoel I know is the one who said to me during interrogation last year, ‘The bloody bitch has sucked the saliva of all the white communists, look at her! Cool, calm and collected. Nothing shocks her at all, just does not react. The last time I ever interrogated a similar communist is when I went through that Goldberg, he is just like this one – I should have taken tape recordings of your love making and play them for your husband.’ On that day his partner said, ‘Winnie would [have] seduced the Pope if she wanted to use him politically,’ they roared with laughter! I expected a similar reaction when I hurled my replies at them on the 1st of May. Often when they are furious they say a lot they normally did not intend saying.
ACC. NO. 4: 20/7/70
Draft notes on ‘we seek relief in these matters’
Continued.
WASHING
The detainees do their washing in the cells usually over the weekends. We do the washing in these washing buckets, i.e. the same buckets we use for washing our bodies. We ask for rinsing water, if you are lucky it is brought in a separate bucket but usually you are advised that the prisoners will rinse the clothes for you because there aren’t enough buckets because the same are used for scrubbing the floors, the yards and also for night soil. Sometimes the buckets stink so much that it is impossible to use them. On such days I used my drinking water for washing my body . . . The prisoners never rinse the clothes, they just hang them on the wall with all the soapy water and there is nothing you can do about this as the clothes will be brought to you already dry when next the warders bring your food.
The position with awaiting-trial prisoners is that they are taken to the laundry yard where they spend the whole day washing their clothes under proper laundry facilities. The shower room which we also used originally is in the same exercise yard and laundry yard. Those who wish to shower do so freely. There is a hot and cold water system. This is in the yard Aucamp prohibited us from because it has convenient facilities. The awaiting-trial prisoners wait for their clothes to dry up. They spend the rest of the time leisurely in this yard.
NB. Since Zeelie took over the prison from Britz the awaiting-trial prisoners work in the laundry. They take towels from the washing machines and hang them on the lines, when these are dry they fold them up. Should they mess up this they are subjected to the same brutal corporal punishment as any other convicted prisoner. Wessels inflicts the corporal punishment with Zeelie. When the awaiting-trial prisoners are through with the towels they do their own washing, showering etc. They do not iron.
The buckets used by us detainees are rusty, filthy and they leak badly. The prison floors are black so the buckets are full of black polish. They have no handles anymore because they are old.
WHAT THE POSITION WAS LAST YEAR
In May 1969 I was taken to the laundry yard daily for about half an hour. If I had any washing to do I did it during this half hour, that meant no exercise as this time was for exercise. This was even a better arrangement than the present set up.
When I was very ill in June my washing was done by the prisoners in the laundry. This continued until September 1969 when Zeelie joined the staff. She put a stop to this and I did the washing in my cell. Sometime in Sept Aucamp got the note I wrote to my sister, that same week I asked for permission from Zeelie to do my washing in the laundry yard which has sinks where I could do my washing standing because of my condition. She told me to put my bucket on the bed which I was given in August and Sept. 1969 per the prison doctor’s instructions. I told Zeelie I could not do washing on the bed as my blankets and the mattress would be wet, she said that was not her business.
I then asked her for permission to see Aucamp. She said in any case Aucamp would have to be consulted. The following day I was taken to Aucamp in Britz’s office. I told him of my request, he said he would not allow me to do my washing in the exercise yard because of the note I wrote to my sister. That was that. In any case the other detainees who had nothing to do with my sister’s note were no longer using the laundry yard on Aucamp’s instructions.
DISCUSSION WITH AUCAMP ON FOOD QUESTION
I have had discussions with this man on the above question time without number from 1969.
When we were charged in October 1969 the relatives brought us food, quite a lot of food besides the food we got weekly from the church. At first there was a misunderstanding on the question of sharing food which climaxed in a letter written by Accused No. 7 to Aucamp. Our attorney has a copy of this letter.
On this occasion Aucamp called us all to Britz’s office. I told him that we wanted to be given the right to share our food with who we pleased among ourselves. Jacobs used to bring our food already dished onto the dixies, exposed to all the germs and all mixed up. I objected to the exposure of food, transparent items for that matter like biscuits, dried fruit etc all emptied onto dixies. I told him our relatives come all the way from Johannesburg and they bring non-perishable food to last us until the next visit. That we had been subjected to a long spell of solitary confinement and starvation, we needed food to build our strength, because we were all generally run down. I told him our relatives brought us vitamin foods like Complan, Milo, condensed milk and other tinned foodstuffs.
From that day onwards until our re-detention on the 16th of Feb. 1970 we got all the food our relatives brought, whatever quantity it was.
Since we have been charged now I have discussed exactly along the lines above with Aucamp the same question of food. On both occasions he first said I am aware of the prison regulations – that we are entitled to one meal a day – I told him he had said the same thing last year but had allowed food because our relatives live so far and that in any case he could use his discretion in such matters if he wanted to. On both occasions he said he would discuss the matter with the matrons and they would all decide what’s to be done. The position has not changed at all.
We made numerous representations to our defence, instead matters deteriorated, we continued starving to an extent that although I am an awaiting-trial prisoner entitled to food from my relatives the prison doctor had to prescribe milk and bread because my anaemia was getting worse and loss of weight continued. The last time I was seen by the doctor was on the 15th of this month when he declared me unfit to be discharged from the hospital. It is not the prison bed and prison hospital which will improve my health, it is a proper balanced diet, not bread and milk either.
I am at Aucamp’s mercy even when I have access to my defence. What will happen when I am convicted if this is what this man does to me now. Must I go and serve my sentence in this physical condition? Who else would take this type of treatment for so long. How much longer should any human being be expected to have patience without exhausting it? We have now reached the saturation point.
THE PRESENT FOOD POSITION
A week before the last long week I asked Zeelie for permission to see Aucamp to discuss the food question once more. On both occasions Zeelie told me she would convey the message to Aucamp . . . We are still given enough food for one meal.
During my sister’s last visit on Thursday the 16th I told her to keep a list of what was given back to her and hand this to my attorney. I would also do the same. I was later given a list of what was given to me and a list of what ‘should have been returned to my sister but that she left before this was in fact handed back’. I signed and dated the list in Wessels’ handwriting. Obviously Scott93 reported what I said to my sister but my sister left as usual when Scott took me back to the cells. Over the weekend I asked for his food, I was told Wessels would be on duty on Monday the 20th but I know Wessels will be on Friday the 24th according to my informant. The food disappeared.
THE FOOD QUESTION AS APPLICABLE TO OTHER AWAITING-TRIAL PRISONERS
Ordinar
y awaiting-trial prisoners bring with them from court as much food as they can possibly carry whilst on trial, usually loaves of bread, fruit and cooked food which I have seen with my own eyes. I have also been taken to the visiting room whilst these prisoners had their relatives visiting them. I have seen them taking food from relatives, I actually saw one prisoner with three dixies carrying two loaves of bread, fruit, meat and potatoes, enough food to last her a whole week.
There were also packets (unopened) of biscuits, and cigarettes. Ours are opened, emptied, the containers thrown away for spite, as a result the cigarettes dry up and are rendered unhealthy. Our biscuits are thrown on these cigarettes, with toilet soap and all, this is done in our absence and we are expected to eat food served in this condition.
I have seen awaiting-trial prisoners being given food, it’s taken by the wardresses on duty from the relative, searched in the presence of the prisoner and handed to the prisoner. She takes the food straight from the visit to the cell. Our food remains with the matrons and wardresses and the long time prisoners amongst whom it is divided whilst enough food for one meal is taken to the cell at supper time so that it should be impossible for the detainee to share even this with her colleague.
We normally hide even this little bit, take it with us in the morning when we go to crowd in Number 17’s cell where we share as if we are stealing our own food. I have been moved to tears when my colleagues grab the bread I have – prescribed by the doctor – I give this to them every morning if I can, I can do with the pint of milk a day. The bread is hardly enough for one person.
A whole [sic] Brig concerns himself with this petty brutality of giving such instructions about food – of what security risk is food for detainees? How is the security of the state at stake because No. 17 smokes twenty cigarettes a day? How is the state security similarly affected if my sister gives me vitamin food? Or a chicken?
GAMES, HANDKERCHIEFS AND BOOKS
On 8.7.70 our attorney brought us the above articles which have not been given to us on Aucamp’s instructions. I have asked for these on numerous occasions from Scott and I get one reply on all occasions. Zeelie says she will find out whether she can now give us some – up to date. Zeelie is acting on instructions. I have explained that the handkerchiefs are mine, what I do with them is my business. Surely there is nothing illegal about my relatives giving me handkerchiefs to my attorney who sees me every day. I have told my sister in the presence of the wardress on duty that if she can’t visit me for some reason she could take my parcel to my attorney.
HEALTH QUESTION CONTINUED
In December and January 1970 I made an application to see a dentist. Jacobs told me Aucamp said I should submit this in writing to him. I was most surprised, I expected the doctor who treats me to refer me to the dentist. I submitted the said application in writing about this application. I followed this application with oral enquiries until my re-detention.
To this date I have not seen the dentist because ‘the Brig has not granted the permission yet’. I am aware than No. 9 made a similar application also with no success. Even after detention I pursued this application with no success.
FOOD IN HOSPITAL
The hospital has the same diet as the ordinary diet in prison. When I was very ill from the 6th of May this year I started bringing up all solids. I reported this to Zeelie and asked for porridge instead of cooked mealies for supper. She said she would inform Aucamp. For a week I did not have any supper because I could not be given porridge which I have up to date.
When I was discharged for a few days on the 10th of June I was given cooked mealies in the cell. The same complications arose with bronchitis, I did not have supper for the four days in the cell. I got the porridge again when I was re-admitted to hospital.
SUNDAY THE 12TH OF JULY
I forgot to tell my defence that on Sunday the 12th of July wardress Nel came to tell me whilst I was exercising that Wessels says I should write a letter and say I request permission to be discharged from hospital. I do not know what plot was behind this. I told Nel that I will write such an application as soon as I become mad but that whilst I am sane I would do no such a thing. The doctor is there to discharge me.
No. 18 overheard Wessels giving the report of my refusal to write the letter to the visiting ‘Super’ on Sunday the same day. This was of course Aucamp’s underhand instruction. I suppose the doctor refuses to discharge me from the hospital.
DOCTOR’S VISITS
The doctor visits the prison once a week, the dentist once every two weeks. On such days those who wish to see the doctor submit their prison tickets to the wardress who does not even ask them what they suffer from. Then the prisoners, including the awaiting-trial prisoners, come to the consulting room without even an escort.
The detainees are subjected to scrutiny before they see the doctor. You report to the wardress on duty that [you] are not well, you give details of your complaint. These she take[s] to the matron, matron reports to Aucamp.
MEDICAL DIARY
3 attacks 24.12.69
Description of attacks94
1. Sharp pain in the middle of the chest – last approx 5 mins.
2. Complete loss of control of muscle function.
3. Breathlessness, choked, tongue as if full in the mouth, could not swallow or move at all. Half consc.
4. With a spasm body jerked into function.
5. Palpitations – burning pain beneath left breast.
6. Unable to estimate length of time each attack took, it seemed quite long – soaking wet – excess sweat.
7. Eyes bloodshot whole day foll[owing] attacks – persistent headache and loss of appetite – bitter taste in mouth.
MEDICAL DIARY95
3 attacks 24.12.69 midnight
Monday 29-12-69
(1) Did not see doctor (2) Shower (3) Consultation (4) Isolation (5) No exercise
Tues 30.12.69
(1) No shower (2) Consultation (3) Isolation (4) No exercise (5) Treatment incomplete (Whi T) (6) Brig
Wednesday 31.12.69
(1) Shower (2) Consultation (3) Together – supper (4) No exercise (5) Saw doctor (6) BP under control
Thurs 1.1.70
(1) No shower (2) No exercise (3) Together
Frid 2.1.70
(2 attacks midnight) V. scream
Monday 5.1.70
(1) Shower noon (2) No morning tablet. Afternoon treat (3) Consultation (4) No exer
Tuesday 6.1.70
(1) No shower (2) Morn, Tabl. (3) Consult. (4) Inc: De Bruyn. M Wes – unilat dec sol. Approx 10–15 threats. (5) No exer (6) Our matr bus
Wednesday 7.1.70
(1) Shower (2) No tablets (3) Solitary till lunch – no tabl (4) No tabl whole day – Hosp closed – after enquiries Matron (5) No exercise
Thursd. 8.1.70
(1) Minor attack 40m breathlessness. Sweating, palpitations burning pain beneath left breast (2) Reported Matr J. (3) MJ sorted tabl will give herself as from today
Friday 9.1.70
(1) Diahrr 3am till morning break (2) Drank Compl no other breakf (3) Shower (4) Tablets morning (5) Tablets – told to take the whole lot – usually for afternoon and night. Expl to Miss V how I have [been] taking them – told that was wrong – had to take whole lot at once – were together (6) Felt tired and unusually drowsy thereafter.
Saturday 10.1.70
(1) No shower (2) Solitary again (3) Lunch asked wardress why we were subj to sol conf; she said she had asked Matron Wes. As one of us had already asked same question; I asked what Matr Wes said – wardress states she could not get any reply from MW further explained she works upstairs (3) Told wardress to tell Wess we are supposed to be together and that we also have work to do for the lawyers
Sunday 11.1.70 (continued)
Until 3 pm – no explanation given about yesterday (4) Loss of appetite (5) Palpitations 6 pm (6) Excess sweat
Monday 12.1.70
(1) No shower (2) Consult (3) Together (4) Got all my ta
blets (5) No excer (6) Rot C sat
Tuesday 13.1.70
(1) No shower (2) Consult (3) Together (4) Consult JC (5) No exerc (6) Got all my tabl (7) Request B refused
Wednesday 14.1.70
(1) Shower at noon (2) Tablets given at lunch (3) Solitary till lunch (4) Clothes brought by MJ (5) 10 mins consult . . . Choked, breathlessness – body jerked in painful spasm into functions
(2) State of semi-consciousness until body jerked into funct
(3) Unable to estimate how long this lasted – seemed long
(4) Shortly after the last bell rang. Looked at the mirror – eyes bloodshot – pupils seemed dilated
(5) Took last tablets for the night – afraid to sleep as if I’ll have an attack again – sat up and wrote diary
Prior to the attack had been thinking a great deal of my husb and the children. Also thought about my clothes with Maud and my husband’s clothes with Maud. Thought about family quarrel – Telia reported ill.
(6) No preceeding aura – I now feel burning pain beneath left breast as I write. Sweating excessively. Have been dbbr since morning when we were locked up
Thursday 15.1.70
(1) Report Matron J not feeling well – requested to see hospital man re blood press (2) Shower (3) No morning tablets given Rep again MJ request to see hospit man – he never came (4) Got morning treatment at lunchtime (5) Consult 10 mins JC (6) Visit my younger sister food and blouse (7) Afternoon and night treat. All given at supp (8) Mugs put out early – upside down – ‘phuzamandla’ (9) Together