Poqo cadre Gaqa hailed a SA hero at his funeral

PAC stalwart and Poqo cadre Pumelele Nkwenkwe Gaqa, who led a campaign to have the remains of his peers who were hanged in Pretoria in 1963 returned to their families, was lauded as a hero at his funeral in Mputi village, Bhaziya on Saturday.

The 75-year-old collapsed month during the reburial cadres.

More than 500 people, among them PAC president Luthando Mbinda and Eastern Cape sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina, praised Gaqa for his contribution to the liberation of the country and for his and died of one of last the tireless efforts in ensuring that the remains of his fellow comrades were returned to their Bhaziya families.

The Daily Dispatch previously reported that Gaqa had been among a group of Poqo cadres from Bhaziya who were arrested after a group of white construction workers were killed near the Mbashe River.

While 13 of them were hanged and another died in jail, Gaqa survived the noose.

Despite his frail health he had led a campaign for the return of their remains to their families and his dream was realised last month when Justice Minister Michael Masutha descended on Mputi, where the remains were finally handed over to their loved ones.

Gaqa’s second eldest child, Bukelwa, said her father’s health had started to deteriorate around 2008.

When he was released from prison he had struggled to find work and survived by using his skills as a builder.

“Life was not easy. When we came back we knew there would be no food at home and would go to our uncle’s house. All the while he [Gaqa] would be in Elliotdale trying to make money which he used to send us to school,” said Bukelwa, who was able to complete a national diploma in human resources management and secure a job in government.

Bhaziya’s Chief Ntsika Minenkulu Joyi said he had personally learnt a lot from Gaqa when he took over the chieftaincy.

“We have lost a hero,” he said.

He also revealed that the royal house he lived in had been built by Gaqa’s hands.

Majodina told the mourners that they had decided to bury Gaqa last because he had been instrumental in ensuring that the remains of the other 14 Poqo soldiers were exhumed and returned home.

“We are saddened but happy that we were able to return the remains [of his comrades as per his wishes].”

Mbinda said Gaqa was a leader, a father and a commander who was humble despite being led by people much younger than he in the PAC.

He said one of Gaqa’s wishes was to see a united PAC in time for the 2019 general elections.