PAC stalwart dies while addressing EC mourners
Gaqa helped bring back his cadres’ remains
PAC veteran and Poqo cadre Phumelele Nkwenekwe Gaqa shocked mourners when he collapsed and died while talking at the reburial of one of his comrades in Mthatha on Saturday.
The 75-year-old Gaqa, who miraculously escaped being hanged as one of a group of men arrested 53 years ago, had been for many years leading a campaign for the return of the remains of 14 of his Poqo comrades who were hanged in Pretoria in 1963.
Although his health deteriorated in 2016 he vowed “I will only die after the return of the remains of my comrades”.
True to his word he died soon after all 14 exhumed remains were returned home to Bhaziya on February 11 by Justice Minister Michael Masutha.
Gaqa had called for the government to supply the village of Bhaziya with clean water as well as provide financial support to the grandchildren of his Poqo comrades. He also called for unity of the now badly divided PAC.
On Saturday, speaking at the funeral of Mili Poli, one of the returned 14 and the first of the funerals for these men, Gaqa again pleaded with the municipality to supply the village with clean water.
He said that Bhaziya was the only village in the country where 14 of its residents were hanged at the same time for the same act, adding that the country owed the village especially as it lay in one of the most impoverished areas.
His nephew Mncanana Gaqa said Gaqa “had in the middle of his speech during the funeral struggled to breath”.
“He then collapsed. As we were taking him home he died. He had waited for the return of the remains of his comrades before he died. We are sure that he will be happy to join them,” said Mncanana.
Gaqa and 22 other men from Bhaziya were arrested after five white construction workers were killed near the Mbashe River on the R61 between Ngcobo and Mthatha.
Fourteen of the men – named the “Poqo cadres” – were hanged in one day on July 3 1963.
Those hanged were: Mbhekaphantsi Vulindela, 18; Sihelegu Vulindlela, 28; Sandunge Vulindlela, 30; Bhonase Vulundlela, 46; Malize Vulindlela, 30; Bennet Mpetu, 20; Right Mangqikana, 53; Bawokazi Mangqikana, 30; Nqaba Memani, 30; Siwana Mlahleki, 31; Mili Poli, 43; Mthalathala Xhego, 20; and 30-yearold Dumisa Galeni.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch in 2016, Gaqa said he would die a happy man when the remains of his comrades were returned to their respective families and the village had a clean water supply.
Seeing the remains of his 14 comrades on February 11 in Bhaziya he told the Dispatch: “Now I will die a happy man and I will be in the throne of God and joined to my 14 departed comrades.”
The family has received messages of condolences from the PAC, the ANC government, traditional leaders and others.
Bhaziya’s Chief Ntsika Minenkulu Joyi said: “I am very saddened with the passing on of tat’uGaqa. He was an advisor to three generations of traditional leaders – my late grandfather, my later father and myself. He was a fountain of wisdom, we have lost a pillar of remarkable strength,” said Joyi.
Sport, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodini, who visited the Gaqa home yesterday, said that Gaqa would be included in the funeral list of his 14 comrades.
“He died working for the people of Bhaziya and knocked on each and every door to ensure that the remains of his comrades were returned,” said Majodina.
Masutha sent his message of condolences through spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga.
“The minister and the whole TRC [Truth and Reconciliation Commission] and Missing Persons Team are saddened at the passing of such a courageous patriot whose contribution to liberation of this country is well documented,” he said.