More remains of activists who died in exile to return back to home

South Africans can expect more remains of activists who died in exile to return back to the motherland. This as the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Missing Persons Task Team has its eyes on Angola next.

This follows the successful repatriation of just over 40 freedom fighters who were honoured in a ceremony at Freedom Park on Friday.

“We gather not merely to witness a ceremonial event but to honour a profound and sacred responsibility to bring back home. The remains of our brave men and women who sacrificed everything for the liberation of our beloved country,” says Angie Motshekga, Minister of Defence & Military Veterans.

Video: Repatriation Homecoming Ceremony – Defence & Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga

42 coffins draped in the South African flag containing the mortal remains of the likes of legal giant Advocate Duma Nokwe and Journalist, Todd Matshikiza to name a few were laid before dignitaries and loved ones as the nation paid its respects to freedom fighters who died in exile decades ago in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

This, in a homecoming ceremony at the historic Freedom Park heritage site in Pretoria under the theme “Celebrating the Lives of Our Heroes and Heroines Who Laid Down Their Lives for Our Freedom”.

With the success of this repatriation, a key role player in this project, the NPA’s Missing Person Task Team has its eyes on repatriating more, even as far as the challenging Angola site which is home to mass graves.

“It won’t be an easy task, but we will use demining experts where necessary. We have personnel on our team who are the world experts in working on mass graves. One of our colleagues from Argentina who is part of our team worked on recovering all the graves from the mass graves in Yugoslavia and disappeared in Argentina, so we really have the best available skills on our team,” says Madeleine Fullard, Head of Missing Persons Task Team.

The NPA’s Missing Persons Task Team, however, is realistic in its ambitions noting that there is no conflict or war where the body of every single soldier can be recovered, prompting the team to present an alternative to families where they are unable to recover remains.

“For families where we are not able to recover remains. We will develop a symbolic reburial process where we will take families to the sites. In a way we are able to honour and recognise their contribution and their loss as well,” Fullard added.

The celebration of freedom fighters who led South Africa on its path to democracy continues.

Video: Repatriation Homecoming Ceremony – In conversation with the families of fallen heroes