Still no answers on death of Samora
THE Mozambique government is still seeking answers over the plane crash death of its first democratically elected president, Samora Machel, on South African soil three decades ago.
Carlos Agostinho Rosario, Mozambique’s prime minister, said they were still looking to the South African government to conclude the investigation into the crash that claimed Machel’s life.
Widely recognised as a revolutionary and visionary leader, Machel died on October 19 1986 with 33 compatriots. His presidential plane crashed into the hills of Mbuzini, a village in Mpumalanga near the Mozambican border.
It was widely believed Machel’s plane was taken down by the apartheid regime.
Machel was one of the leaders of Africa who supported the South African anti-apartheid movement’s struggle to collapse the apartheid regime.
The investigation by the South African government into the crash remains inconclusive.
The 30th anniversary of the incident was commemorated yesterday at the Samora Machel Museum in Mbuzini.
The ceremony drew hundreds of people from South Africa and Mozambique, including five Mozambican men who survived the 1986 crash.
Rosario told the crowd the Mozambicans still believed Machel was assassinated by apartheid forces.
“It’s our conviction that Samora Machel was killed by the enemy of peace,” he said.
“We express our conviction that the truth behind the killing of Samora Machel will one day be known by the people, especially the people of Mozambique.
“Our government shall continue to take efforts to have a clarification on what happened to our president,” added Rosario.
SA Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said nothing about the inconclusive probe, but used his speech to pay homage to Machel, saying he had worked tirelessly for the defeat of apartheid in South Africa.
“He unconditionally welcomed liberation fighters in Mozambique and dedicated his life to the complete emancipation of southern Africa,” said Ramaphosa.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said the two countries were tied by a special bond and called on citizens of Mozambique and South Africa to treat each other better.
Mozambican foreign nationals have suffered xenophobic attacks in South Africa – Ernesto Alfabeto Nhamuave was burnt alive in 2008.
Said Mthethwa: “We were together in the struggle to liberate both countries and we’re together now in the reconstruction and development of our nations.
“As we do that we shall remember President Machel’s utterances, particularly when he emphasised that aluta continua (the struggle continues).
“We have to continue to ensure that both the people of South Africa and Mozambique understand that they are one.” —