President Zuma today, 6 December 2016, met with members of the Robben Island Ex-Political Prisoners Association (EPPA), a body representing all political prisoners who were incarcerated in Robben Island (and other prisons) for political offences, at his residence Mahlamba Ndlopfu in Pretoria.
The meeting discussed a number of issues that affect former political prisoners and the assistance they require from various government departments.
These include the exclusion of former political prisoners on the Department of Defence and Military Veterans Database, the issue of honouring those who were arrested and served time in Robben Island for political reasons, a review of the funeral scheme of Ex-Political Prisoners and the establishment of the Robben Island Institute of Leadership (RIDLI), which will help in restoring the history of Robben Island.
The meeting agreed that matters raised will be taken to a dedicated Task Team comprising of relevant government departments that will work closely with the EPPA in preparation for the re-union, and will brief the President about progress made. It also agreed to develop an inclusive database of all former political prisoners alive and departed.
Enquiries:
Dr Bongani Ngqulunga
Cell: 082 308 9373
E-mail: bongani@presidency.gov.za
