Deputy Minister Maphatsoe to address handover and reburial ceremony of former Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) cadre, Sechaba Lisemola

15 August 2014

The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Kebby Maphatsoe will tomorrow  16 August 2014 at 10h00, at the Theunissen Sports Ground, Free State Province, address the handover and reburial ceremony of the former Umkhonto we Sizwe Commander, Mr Sechaba Lawrence Lesimola who was killed together with four other in combat against the Apartheid security forces.

Mr Lesimola together with Sizakele Buzo, Fuzile Patrick Zigoxo, Thamsanqa Polo and Meshack Nyathi were killed in Alidays (the then Northern Transvaal and now Limpopo), during a skirmish against the Apartheid security forces on 3rd August 1988 and were buried as unidentified paupers. Their remains were recovered by the Missing Persons Task Team of the National Prosecuting Authority and have been identified through the DNA tests.

“Working in partnership with the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, we are repatriating and reburying these gallant heroes of the struggle for liberation and military veterans as part of our commitment in line with our constitutional and legal mandate, to honour and preserve the rich heritage of those who fought for freedom and democracy in our land. We hope with this ceremony we will finally help bring about closure to the years of pain and suffering that the families have endured over the years. ” said Deputy Minister Maphatsoe.

The ceremony is to be attended by amongst others the family members, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr. Michael Masutha as well as the Premier of the Free State Province, Mr Ace Magashule.  

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