The African National Congress (ANC) has initiated the exhumation process to repatriate the remains of the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) freedom fighters who died in exile in Zambia and Zimbabwe during the liberation struggle against apartheid.
MK was the military wing of ANC during the armed struggle against the apartheid South African government and in the 1960s they held several operations in Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) with the Zapu’s military arm, ZPRA.
Both military wings formed an alliance that culminated in the first battles in the country, the Wankie Nyatuwe battles and other areas in the western part of Rhodesia now Zimbabwe. Initially, this alliance came about because Umkhonto we Sizwe needed assistance to cross Zimbabwe while on their missions to South Africa.
This necessitated making a joint military unit that would be battle-ready such as what was to become the Luthuli Detachment.
ANC International Relations Subcommittee Deputy Chairperson, Obed Bapela, announced that the remains of 40 freedom fighters, including former Secretary-General Dumalisile Nokwe, are scheduled to be returned to South Africa on September 27, 2024.
Bapela noted that up to 1000 exhumations are expected to take place, though the process is lengthy and could take five to ten years to complete.
“We are conducting an audit, and the numbers vary from one country to another. We currently estimate around 1000 exhumations and repatriations or expatriations that need to be carried out. This will take time, as some burial sites may be difficult to locate,” Bapela said.
“Some cemeteries in these countries are overgrown, and many grave markers have disappeared, so a thorough mapping process will be required before we can proceed with the exhumations. We will only exhume when we have verified that the information is accurate.”
The repatriation process is set to begin with the return of 40 remains on September 27, 2024. “The exhumations have started, and families have already participated in the necessary rituals, which are an important part of African customs,” Bapela added.
Bapela also explained that the ANC developed a concept document, which has been submitted and adopted by the National Working Committee (NWC), outlining the contributions of the deceased freedom fighters.
“We have presented narratives through a concept document to the NWC, which was adopted this past weekend. The document will guide us in explaining who these individuals were, their leadership roles at the time of their death, and the contributions they made in the fight against apartheid. It will also detail why they left the country and the detachments they joined in exile, starting with the Luthuli Detachment,” Bapela said.
“The majority of those being repatriated were part of the Luthuli Detachment, including Advocate Nokwe, who served as ANC Secretary-General from 1958 to 1978. We will recount his role, up to his departure into exile in the 1960s.”
According to a report by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), some of the MK fighters are interred at Athlone and Hyde Park cemeteries in the city.
