Military rank for dead MK men – veterans

UMKHONTO wesizwe Military Veterans’ Association Kwazulunatal chairperson Themba Mavundla has urged the government to posthumously honour with military ranks two MK operatives whose exhumed remains were officially handed over to their families yesterday.

The remains of Mfaniseni Mdlalose and Mandla Mjwara were positively identified by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s missing persons unit 31 years after they disappeared in 1987.

They operated in Kwazulunatal in a cell under Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize, who was among several senior government official who attended the official handover of the exhumed remains at Durban’s City Hall yesterday.

Mjwara, from Underberg, was 22 years old at the time of his disappearance and Mdlalose, who hailed from Chesterville, was 33.

Mjwara was buried yesterday at Redhill Cemetery, in Durban North, while Mdlalose will be buried on September 29 at Wiggins Road Cemetery in Chesterville.

Paying tribute to the two men, Mavundla said: “Mandla Mjwara and Comrade Mfaniseni Mdlalose should be ranked as soldiers, with force numbers, so that their families and loved ones can receive benefits.”

He said Mdlalose and Mjwara had fought for the freedom of millions of oppressed South Africans and therefore their families deserved to enjoy the benefits of the contribution that they made towards the country’s liberation.

“It’s a request we’re making to the ANC and its alliance partners, that the government must ensure that these comrades get ranks.

“It should not be that we give the families these soldiers’ remains and nothing more,” Mavundla said.

Mkhize urged the missing persons unit to continue trying to exhume the remains of liberation struggle veterans who disappeared without a trace.

“Today, for us, is a celebration because our soldiers are back from battle.

“They won the fight as the country is now under democratic forces and their fight was not in vain.

“They come back as conquerors, they come back as victors and they come back to be part of the celebration that their mission was fulfilled because South Africa is free.

“For that we have to always honour the role they played and their contributions,” Mkhize said.

Sipho Mjwara, Mjwara’s brother, said that the family was relieved the remains of their loved one had been returned because they had tried for many years to get closure.

“It’s sad that he is no longer alive, but this will give us closure as a family after so many years of uncertainty,” Mjwara said.

Faith Mdluli, a relative of Mdlalose, said the family had never stopped looking for him.

“We thought he died in exile because he did not come back home. Although we’re now at ease knowing where his remains are, it is still a very sad day for us,” Mdluli said.