Latest news with #AbrahamZakheleMngomezulu
The South African
04-05-2025
- The South African
NPA recovers remains of anti-apartheid activists after four decades
The NPA recovered the bodies of two anti-apartheid activists, who the apartheid regime buried without their families' consent. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) recovered the remains of Benjamin Malesella Moloise and Abraham Zakhele Mngomezulu. The apartheid state hanged both activists in the 1980s. Four decades later, authorities discovered their graves in Mamelodi, Pretoria, far from their homes and without family consent. Moloise was convicted of the killing of a security police officer in 1982 and was executed in 1985. The ANC declared him innocent, and he maintained that authorities coerced his confession. His execution sparked international outrage, and several protests erupted globally, condemning his execution. The apartheid regime convicted Mngomezulu in a politically charged trial for a death during a protest in Soweto. They executed him in 1989 at the age of 23. The apartheid government quietly buried the bodies to avoid public funerals that could cause more protests. HAND OVER OF REMAINS On Sunday, 4 May 2025, Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi will hand over the recovered remains at a ceremony at the Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto. In a media statement, the NPA said that they commend the hard work of the Missing Persons Task Team and the TRC Unit in bringing closure to the families of these anti-apartheid activists. They said that this milestone marks an important step towards healing, justice, and reconciliation in South Africa. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Struggle heroes Benjamin Malasella Moloise and Abraham Zakhele Mngomezulu laid to rest
Ntokozo Khumalo 3 May 2025 | 16:18 Struggle heroes Benjamin Malesela Moloise and Abraham Zakhele Mngomezulu were laid to rest after they were hanged decades ago and buried in unmarked graves. Picture: X/@DOJCD_ZA JOHANNESBURG - Struggle heroes Benjamin Malesela Moloise and Abraham Zakhele Mngomezulu have been laid to rest at home, decades after the executions under apartheid-rule. The two were reburied in Orlando, Soweto on Saturday in a ceremony attended by their family members and government officials. ALSO READ: South Africa returns remains of activist executed 40 years ago Justice Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi says the activists paid the ultimate price for a freedom they never got to enjoy. Moloise was hanged in 1985 after being convicted of murdering a security policeman - a charge he denied until his death. Mngomezulu faced the same fate after being found guilty of killing another man, Mandla Khoza, during a political dispute. Under the Apartheid system, their families were barred from attending their funerals. They were buried in unmarked graves. Kubayi says their blood and sacrifice helped lay the foundation for the democracy South Africans live in today. "We stand here proudly to say that Comrade Benjamin's and Comrade Abraham's lives were not taken in vain. Their blood and unbreakable spirit formed part of the spear that dealt the death blow to the apartheid regime. Their contribution to the struggle formed part of the foundation of the democracy that we enjoy today." Today's reburial has been described as a step towards restoring their dignity and giving their loved ones a sense of closure.
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Soweto commemorates the reburial of anti-apartheid activists Moloise and Mngomezulu
A solemn and historic handover and reburial ceremony is under way for the exhumed remains of political activists who were hanged on death row for politically related offences. Image: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development / Facebook The handover and reburial ceremony of anti-apartheid activists, Benjamin Malesella Moloise and Abraham Zakhele Mngomezulu, is under way in Soweto today after the remains of the Struggle heroes were exhumed. The political activists, who were hanged on death row for politically related offences, were buried without their families' consent in pauper graves in October 1985 and May 1989. The ceremony forms part of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's (DoJ&CD) Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Unit's recommendations, which includes creating appropriate memorials, offering medical support, aiding affected communities, and providing educational bursaries to descendants of apartheid-era victims. Malesella Benjamin Moloise was convicted in 1983 and executed in 1985 for the 1982 assassination of a security policeman. Image: South African History Online DoJ&CD Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, presided over the solemn and historic handover and reburial ceremony held at the Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto. The department said the significant event marks an important milestone in South Africa's ongoing journey towards healing, justice, and reconciliation. 'The department, on behalf of the State, remains firmly committed to advancing justice, fostering national healing, and preserving the dignity of those who paid the highest price in the fight against apartheid,' the DoJ&CD said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Between 1960 and 1990, at least 130 individuals were executed on death row for politically motivated offences. Image: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development / Facebook Between 1960 and 1990, at least 130 individuals were executed on death row for politically motivated offences. At the time, the state withheld their remains, denying families the opportunity to mourn and bury their loved ones with dignity. These individuals were interred as paupers in cemeteries around Tshwane, without the knowledge or consent of their families. Moloise, an ANC activist, was convicted in 1983 and executed in 1985 for the 1982 assassination of a security policeman. He denied any involvement, claiming his confession was made under duress. The ANC has consistently maintained his innocence. Anti-apartheid activists, Benjamin Malesella Moloise and Abraham Zakhele Mngomezulu's remains were exhumed in Tshwane. Image: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development / Facebook
