Struggle hero’s family demands R3m
SOLOMON MAHLANGU’S RELATIVES SAY THEY WERE NOT CONSULTED ABOUT CHANGES MADE TO HIS TOMBSTONE
THE family of struggle icon Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu is allegedly demanding R3-million in damages from the Tshwane municipality for replacing the revered hero’s tombstone.
They alleged the replacement was done without obtaining permission from them, spoiling an appeasing ritual the family performs on the grave annually.
According to the letter of demand, the family was surprised to find a new tombstone when they visited the grave to perform a traditional ritual in May.
Each year the family visits the grave to perform a ritual to appease Mahlangu’s “restless spirit” because of the circumstances surrounding his death, secret burial, exhumation and reburial.
Mahlangu, an Umkhonto we Sizwe guerilla, was hanged in Pretoria on April 6 1979 after he was convicted on two counts of murder and several charges under the Terrorism Act.
This was after he and fellow operatives Mondy Johannes Motloung and George “Lucky” Mahlangu were arrested in connection with a shooting in Goch Street, Johannesburg, where two civilians were killed in June 1977.
Mahlangu was buried in Atteridgeville as police feared crowd reaction at the funeral, but was reburied in Mamelodi in 1993.
A source close to the family said since the original tombstone was erected in consultation with the family, it was installed in a way that would leave a gap, allowing the family to reach the soil that is part of the grave for the ritual.
The source said the base of the new tombstone covered the whole grave, preventing the family from reaching the grave soil.
“Without the soil, the ritual cannot be performed as the soil is considered part of Kalushi’s spirit,” said the source.
He said Mahlangu’s restless spirit was troubling the family because they were unable to perform the appeasing ritual.
Family spokesman Gideon Mahlangu said he was unable to comment on the matter at this stage. “I cannot comment as the matter is being handled by our lawyers.”
The letter of demand from Lehodi Nkoana Attorneys states that “… our client suffered serious trauma, emotional shock and psychological effects. As such they still continue to suffer as the deceased continues to bother them and causes them to experience sleepless nights”.
Nkoana said the municipality had until October 3 to respond.
“The matter is still at a very delicate, early stage and commenting on the matter could jeopardise the case,” he said.
Tshwane municipality spokesman Selby Bokaba said its legal services department did not receive any letter of demand.
“There is no such letter in our records, and there shouldn’t be such a letter to start with as what we did was to improve and beautify the grave according to the wishes of the family after we had consulted with them. Therefore, there wouldn’t be a basis for a letter of demand. I reiterate that we have not received such a letter,” he said.
Bokaba said Mahlangu’s family was consulted before work started on the tombstone.
He said the municipality consulted with the Mahlangu family on April 15 and they agreed with the proposals to erect a complete headstone with a head and base.
“Subsequent to that, they requested that we add a photo of Solomon Mahlangu on top of the base, as well as the emblems of Sanco (SA National Civic Organisation) and Umkhonto weSizwe (MK),” he said.
“We would not have taken such a drastic action on our part by installing a new base at the gravesite of Solomon Mahlangu without having consulted the family or any of the families of the struggle icons. It would have been irresponsible and insensitive of us to do that, hence I’m able to give you the exact date on which the family was consulted.”
“We beautified grave according to family’s wishes