The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, will on Saturday, 3 May 2025, preside over a solemn and historic handover and reburial ceremony of the exhumed remains of political activists who were hanged on death row for politically related offences.
This significant event, the handover and reburial of activists Benjamin Malesella Moloise and Abram Zakhele Mngomezulu, marks an important milestone in South Africa’s ongoing journey towards healing, justice, and reconciliation.
Between 1960 and 1990, at least 130 individuals were executed on death row for politically motivated offences.
At the time, the state withheld their remains, denying families the opportunity to mourn and bury their loved ones with dignity. These individuals were interred as paupers in cemeteries around Tshwane, without the knowledge or consent of their families.
Benjamin Moloise, an activist of ANC, was convicted in 1983 and executed in 1985 for the 1982 assassination of a security policeman. He denied any involvement, claiming his confession was made under duress. The ANC consistently maintained his innocence.
Abram Mngomezulu, also an activist of the ANC, was executed on 25 May 1989 after being convicted for the 1987 murder of Mandla Khoza during a rent boycott protest in Soweto. He was sentenced to death, while four teenage co-accused received prison terms ranging from eight to fifteen years.
The upcoming ceremony will formally return the remains to their families, offering long-overdue closure and recognition of the ultimate sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom.
The Department, on behalf of the State, remains firmly committed to advancing justice, fostering national healing, and preserving the dignity of those who paid the highest price in the fight against apartheid.
Media Details
Date: Saturday, 03 May 2025
Time: 09h00 (Members of the media to arrive at 8h00)
Venue: Orlando Communal Hall, Soweto, Gauteng
Members of the media are requested to RSVP by Friday, 02 May 2025, at 12h00 with Solomon Kganyago – 063 489 7073
Enquiries:
Terrence Manase
Spokesperson to the Minister
Cell: 082 338 6707
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