Mahikeng, North West - The remains of two Umkhonto we Sizwe cadres will be exhumed for reburial in Mahikeng, the North West government said on Wednesday.
“The two formed part of a unit that crossed into South Africa from Botswana in 1978 and were killed 1/8in 3/8 a skirmish with apartheid security forces,” spokesman Lesiba Kgwele said in a statement.
“Forensic experts had conducted DNA tests to determine the identities of the two as their remains were fragmented in an explosion. Their skeletal remains had mingled as they were squeezed into a single coffin.”
Kgwele said locating the grave had not been easy because no records of their burial were kept.
North West premier Thandi Modise, who would be part of the exhumation, said the reburial would allow closure for their families.
“We owe it to the memories of fallen heroes and heroines of our liberation struggle to recognise their sacrifices and heroic deeds...” she said in a statement.
“Their blood nourished the tree of liberty.”
The reburial will take place in Mahikeng on Friday. - Sapa