“I Saw a Nightmare…”
Doing Violence to Memory: The Soweto Uprising, June 16, 1976
by Helena Pohlandt-McCormick
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Zakes Molotsi 1

Zakes Molotsi:
Now when we are coming [back in] '83, that's where all this started. There was a shootout with us, and then they arrested my co-accused first, and then the two of us, and then I give this other one his directions to go to Swaziland. I'll remain, because I knew the place. So, and this one who was arrested, he was not a threat. He doesn't know where we were, he doesn't know any weapons… he doesn't know anything. It was first time he entered the country. So I didn't have any problem. So … [there were] helicopters, dogs and all this stuff… I remained there where I was by the water…. [unclear] There was just a little island, just go and sit alone then I planned a contact with them at twelve midnight …going back to Swaziland. But, you know, it was misty, very misty, you couldn't even see, and it was dark…. And so I decided okay, let me sleep, and in the morning I will take the …my way out. That was my biggest mistake.

[Both of us laugh.]

HP-M:
In the morning the mist cleared and they could see you too.

Zakes Molotsi:
[more laughter] …and the mist cleared, and then there were the soldiers. Now, they were asking me questions… [I answered:] "No, I'm …[unclear] I bring this money, I was sent by my father to come and fetch this money, so he must buy building material for the old granny at home." And they believed it, did buy that story. Immediately when I turned my back, facing …somebody came from behind …just called my name: "Zakes." I know that was the end of it.

HP-M:
They knew who you were?

Zakes Molotsi:
Ja, they had been long looking for me.