Deputy President to attend the memorialisation and honouring of 21 former MK freedom fighters

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Thursday, 23 May 2024 attend and deliver a keynote address at the official handing over of headstones to 21 affected families of fallen former MK operatives in Soweto, Johannesburg. 

The Deputy President’s address will be preceded by a wreath laying ceremony at five cemeteries, including: Ga-Rankuwa (1 headstone); Avalon (7 headstones); Emfihlweni, Tembisa (4 headstones);  Westpark, Johannesburg (8 headstones); and Crystal Park, Benoni (2 headstones) from 07h00 until 09h30.

The wreath laying ceremonies will be conducted simultaneously by respective families, military veterans, and Government representatives at the above stated cemeteries in the Gauteng Province.

During the period 1986 until 1989, these 21 former MK operatives were brutally murdered and some abducted by apartheid security forces throughout the country, for advancing the struggle to bring about democracy, peace, and social justice.

The fallen freedom fighters were ambushed by the notorious regime, which worked tirelessly to preserve a system of apartheid that sought to sustain national oppression and suppress the struggle for freedom. The then apartheid state buried the freedom fighters in unmarked graves and others in bushes.

Following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) processes, the National Prosecutions Agency (NPA)'s Missing Person Task Team retraced the remains in unmarked graves, conducted DNA analysis, exhumed, and reburied the remains of the ex-combatants in different gravesites, as guided by their respective families.

In accordance with the Preamble of our Constitution, the Republic is obliged to honour those that suffered for justice and freedom. In addition, the Military Veterans Act mandates the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) to "honour, commemorate and memorialise the armed struggle against apartheid injustices”. 

As a result, the DMV has undertaken to continue to honour and memorialise the lives and sacrifices of our fallen heroes and heroines under the theme; “Lest we forget. Freedom was never free. Remembering the lives and sacrifices of our fallen heroes and heroines”.

The Deputy President will be supported by the Minister and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Thandi Modise and Mr. Thabang Makwetla, respectively, as well as Gauteng Provincial Government senior representatives.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Thursday, 23 May 2024
Time: 11h00 (media to arrive at 10h00)
Venue: Orlando Community Hall, Soweto

Media wishing to cover this event are requested to confirm attendance with Ms Lebogang Mothapa on 076 865 7188.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840.  

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria