Body of MK man killed in Mozambique returned 34 years later
A PORT Elizabeth mother sobbed uncontrollably yesterday when her son’s remains were finally brought home from Mozambique – 34 years after he was killed at an Umkhonto weSizwe camp.
Mathabo Bookholane could not hold back her tears when Eastern Cape Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Pemmy Majodina arrived at the Port Elizabeth airport at 8am with the slain ANC cadre’s body.
But unlike when she cried in 1981 after hearing that her son had been gunned down when the SA Defence Force ambushed MK soldiers in Amatola, Mozambique, Mathabo’s tears yesterday were from joy and relief.
MK soldiers carried the coffin, draped in an ANC flag, on their shoulders inside the airport where passengers looked on as Majodina led Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Chippa Ngcolomba, ANC councillors, party members and supporters in song as they celebrated the safe return of the remains.
Majodina led a government delegation to Mozambique this week for the exhumation of Bookholane’s remains.
“I am really happy that my son’s remains have been brought back because he died fighting for the country.
“I am at peace now. At least now my son is back and we can bury him,” Mathabo said. She was comforted throughout by ANC regional task team (RTT) member Dipuo Kondile.
Majodina assured the family they had brought back the right remains, as they were tested at a laboratory.
“We are here to celebrate a life that was well lived but cut short by the apartheid regime,” she said.
Majodina said her department was committed to bringing back all the remains of slain MK soldiers from across the continent.
RTT member Thobile Mhlahlo suggested building a wall of remembrance to honour those who paid with their lives in the struggle.
Ngcolomba said the return of Bookholane’s remains was significant and challenged ANC members to go back and build stronger and more vibrant branches.
Bookholane will be reburied on April 11.