President Jacob Zuma will tomorrow, on Thursday, 15 December 2011 officially open a memorial museum to honour all political prisoners executed at the gallows at Pretoria Central Prison during the apartheid era.
The initiative known as the Gallows Memorialisation Project will see a wall erected in the gallows with individual plaques in remembrance of each of the executed 134 political prisoners.
The soon to become heritage site will ensure preservation of our history and play a role in the healing process which will facilitate unity and bring about social cohesion.
The gallows at the prison, now known as the CMax Correctional Centre were dismantled in 1996. The gallows were restored at the insistence of the Minister of Correctional Services, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the centre will now be turned into a memorial museum to honour the 134 political prisoners that were executed there.
The Department of Correctional Services with the assistance of the affected political parties, non government organisation’s and other government departments then made contact with families of the executed political prisoners to ensure they played a central role in the restoration of the gallows in honour of their deceased loved ones.
Two members from each family have been brought to Pretoria to visit the gallows and partake in a cleansing ceremony scheduled to take place today, on 14 December 2011.
The National Prosecuting Authority Missing Persons Task Team will also take some family members of the executed prisoners to two cemeteries (in Pretoria Mamelodi and Rebecca Street) to assist them to locate the graves of their loved ones.
Details are as follows:
Date: 15 December 2011
Time: 09h00
Venue: Old Gallows (Pretoria Correctional Centre)
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
Political prisoners
Among the political prisoners who were executed at the gallows include Solomon Mahlangu a cadre of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) who was sentenced to death by hanging on 2 March 1978. Mahlangu was refused leave to appeal his sentence by the Rand Supreme Court and on 24 July 1978 he was refused again in the Bloemfontein Appeal Court.
Although various governments, the United Nations, international organisations, groups and prominent individuals attempted to intervene on his behalf, Mahlangu awaited his execution in Pretoria Central Prison, and died on 6 April 1979.
Other political prisoners who were executed at the gallows include two Eastern Cape ANC leaders Vuyisile Mini and Wilson Khayingo who were both executed in November 1964. Mini a trade union organiser who joined the ANC in 1951 was charged with 17 counts of sabotage, death of a former police informer as well as other political charges. Khanyingo offered his house as a temporary refuge for cadres leaving the country or returning to carry out operations in the Eastern Cape. He was also charged with 16 counts of sabotage.
The following are the 134 political prisoners that were executed at the gallows with the dates of their execution and the ages when they died.
| Name & Surname | Date of Execution | AGE | |
| 1. | Chamane Thompson | 05/09/61 | 30 |
| 2. | Khuzwayo Joe Mlangeni | 05/09/61 | 25 |
| 3. | Lushozi Maqadeni | 05/09/61 | 30 |
| 4. | Goqo Mahemu | 05/09/61 | 30 |
| 5. | Brian Fanozi Mgumbungu | 05/09/61 | 30 |
| 6. | Schoolboy T. Mnthembu | 05/09/61 | 35 |
| 7. | Payiyana Dladla | 05/09/61 | 29 |
| 8. | Joseph Sililo | 09/05/61 | 53 |
| 9. | Thembinkosi Mthembu | 09/05/61 | 35 |
| 10. | Msayineke D. Khuzwayo | 09/05/61 | 24 |
| 11. | Thomas D. Blayi | 07/10/61 | 34 |
| 12. | Nyamalipeli Blayi | 07/10/61 | 66 |
| 13. | Hlati Blayi | 07/10/61 | 63 |
| 14. | Masipalati Nkomo | 21/03/62 | 21 |
| 15. | Wilson Ngobe | 21/03/62 | 48 |
| 16. | Samani Mpabaniso | 21/03/62 | 30 |
| 17. | Voxwana Mapamela | 21/03/62 | 21 |
| 18. | Maduse Sandlobe | 21/03/62 | 21 |
| 19. | Shadreck George | 21/03/62 | 21 |
| 20. | Mcenjulwa Ngwevu Hlongwe | 21/03/62 | 58 |
| 21. | Barnabas Magawana | 06/07/62 | 45 |
| 22. | Douglas Magawana | 06/07/62 | 49 |
| 23. | Majola Shusha | 06/07/62 | 50 |
| 24. | Ndovela Marelane | 06/07/62 | 49 |
| 25. | Ntshwenca Mkolelwa | 06/07/62 | 35 |
| 26. | Nwayi Singxesa | 18/09/62 | 50 |
| 27. | Kwatla Nota | 18/09/62 | 28 |
| 28. | Kekani Gudlulwayo | 18/09/62 | 58 |
| 29. | Gavu Zadunge | 18/09/62 | 43 |
| 30. | Mfuyo Mtoleni | 18/09/62 | 70 |
| 31. | Mbiso Modi | 07/02/63 | 26 |
| 32. | Nkosinam Ngalo | 07/02/63 | 27 |
| 33. | Zenzeke May | 07/02/63 | 27 |
| 34. | Mhlaba Sigwayi | 07/02/63 | 27 |
| 35. | Khathazekile Pilapi | 07/02/63 | 28 |
| 36. | Goli Sonamzi | 07/02/63 | 27 |
| 37. | Hebson Malinga | 08/02/63 | 34 |
| 38. | James Mututu Apleni | 05/03/63 | 33 |
| 39. | Jonathan Sogwagwa | 27/09/63 | 30 |
| 40. | Johannes Notwayo | 14/10/63 | 40 |
| 41. | Mxolisi Damane | 01/11/63 | 26 |
| 42. | Vezile Felix Jaxa | 01/11/63 | 26 |
| 43. | Lennox Madikane | 01/11/63 | 25 |
| 44. | Vanele Matinkinca | 14/10/63 | 35 |
| 45. | Aaron Njokwana | 11/12/63 | 23 |
| 46. | Joseph Mqitsane | 11/12/63 | 28 |
| 47. | Dumisa Dambalaza | 22/05/64 | 30 |
| 48. | Richard Motsoahae | 16/06/64 | 23 |
| 49. | Josiah Mocumi | 16/06/64 | 40 |
| 50. | Thomas Molatlhegi | 16/06/64 | 31 |
| 51. | Petrus Mtsholtoe | 16/06/64 | 22 |
| 52. | Mtalatala Xhego | 03/07/64 | 22 |
| 53. | Bennet Mpetu | 03/07/64 | 20 |
| 54. | Manini Mzankwa (Nzanywa) | 02/09/64 | |
| 55. | Bonakele Ngcongolo | 11/02/64 | 29 |
| 56. | Sadunge Vulindlela | 03/07/64 | 30 |
| 57. | Maliza Vulindlela | 03/07/64 | 30 |
| 58. | Bekapansi Vulindlela | 03/07/64 | 18 |
| 59. | Shilegu Vulindlela | 03/07/64 | 28 |
| 60. | Titus Tembekile Nyovu | 03/07/64 | 29 |
| 61. | Notimba Bozwana Mboto | 11/02/64 | |
| 62. | Bonase Vulindlela | 03/07/64 | 46 |
| 63. | Poli Mili | 03/07/64 | 43 |
| 64. | Siwana Mlahleki | 03/07/64 | 31 |
| 65. | Nqaba Memani | 03/07/64 | 30 |
| 66. | Bawukazi Magqikani | 03/07/64 | 30 |
| 67. | Light Magqikani | 03/07/64 | 53 |
| 68. | Zinakile Mkaba | 06/11/64 | 35 |
| 69. | Vuyisile Mini | 06/11/64 | 45 |
| 70. | Sipo Khuzwayo | 15/03/64 | 20 |
| 71. | Wilson Khayingo | 05/11/64 | 38 |
| 72. | Washington Bongco | 10/12/64 | 36 |
| 73. | Daniel Ndongeni | 23/02/65 | 31 |
| 74. | Nokali Petse | 23/02/65 | 42 |
| 75. | Samuel Jonas | 09/07/65 | 33 |
| 76. | John Harris | 01/04/65 | |
| 77. | Samuel Jonas | 09/07/65 | 33 |
| 78. | Phineas Mlotywa | 19/11/65 | 29 |
| 79. | Joel Leballo | 19/11/65 | 24 |
| 80. | Corry Tyini | 19/11/65 | 34 |
| 81. | Cylion Mabaso | 19/11/65 | 21 |
| 82. | Isaac Masigo | 19/11/65 | 28 |
| 83. | Victor Mahlangu | 19/11/65 | 28 |
| 84. | Nkosincinci Maseti | 26/09/67 | 37 |
| 85. | Livingstone Fatyela | 30/05/67 | 30 |
| 86. | Godula Gelem | 30/05/67 | 38 |
| 87. | Baden Koboka | 30/05/67 | 32 |
| 88. | McDonald Mgweba | 30/05/67 | 30 |
| 89. | Nicolas Qibile Hans | 30/05/67 | 26 |
| 90. | Maqadaza Magushe | 30/05/67 | 32 |
| 91. | Jonas Jabavu Mzondi | 30/05/67 | 34 |
| 92. | Msimasi Wellington Tyobeka | 30/05/67 | 29 |
| 93. | Donker Ntsabo | 31/07/67 | 32 |
| 94. | Mqokeleli Nqulwana | 15/06/67 | 28 |
| 95. | Zibongile Dodo | 31/10/67 | 32 |
| 96. | Albert Sheweni | 31/10/67 | 35 |
| 97. | Jim Ngantweni | 31/10/67 | 26 |
| 98. | Gladstone Nqulwana | 23/11/67 | 28 |
| 99. | Veyusile Qoba | 07/03/68 | 28 |
| 100. | Leonard Zambodla | 30/05/68 | 28 |
| 101. | Mteteleli Advocate Ntuli | 30/05/68 | 28 |
| 102. | Fillemon Nangolo | 30/05/77 | 25 |
| 103. | Solomon Mahlangu | 09/04/79 | 22 |
| 104. | Jerry Mosololi | 09/06/83 | 25 |
| 105. | Thabo Marcus Motaung | 09/06/83 | 28 |
| 106. | Thelle Mogoerane | 09/06/83 | 23 |
| 107. | Peter Lebajao | 14/08/84 | 52 |
| 108. | Frank Rivers | 14/08/84 | 53 |
| 109. | Joseph Segoto | 14/08/84 | 24 |
| 110. | Benjamin Moloise | 18/10/85 | 28 |
| 111. | Sipho Wilson Xulu | 09/07/86 | 26 |
| 112. | Mluleki Masinga | 09/07/86 | 24 |
| 113. | Andrew Zondo | 09/09/86 | 22 |
| 114. | Sipho Brigitte Xulu | 09/09/86 | 27 |
| 115. | Clarence Lucky Payi | 09/09/86 | |
| 116. | Solomon Magwasha | 05/12/86 | 20 |
| 117. | Alex Matsepane | 05/12/86 | 23 |
| 118. | Raymond Gwebushe | 19/08/87 | 29 |
| 119. | Mnyand Jantjies | 01/09/87 | 23 |
| 120. | Mlamli Mielies | 01/09/87 | 22 |
| 121. | Mlungisi Luphondo | 06/11/87 | 22 |
| 122. | Tsepo Letsoare | 18/03/88 | 23 |
| 123. | Sipho Mahala | 29/03/88 | 21 |
| 124. | Lungile Rewu | 29/03/88 | 19 |
| 125. | Michael Lucas | 25/03/88 | 21 |
| 126. | Benjamin Gxothiwe | 25/03/88 | 27 |
| 127. | Siphiwo Lande | 14/04/88 | 22 |
| 128. | Tobile Lloyd | 14/04/88 | 27 |
| 129. | Zwelidumisle Mjekula | 24/11/88 | 36 |
| 130. | Kholisile Dyakala | 24/11/88 | 33 |
| 131. | Ndumiso Siphenuka | 20/04/89 | 25 |
| 132. | Menze Makhezwana | 20/04/89 | 44 |
| 133. | Abraham Mngomezulu | 25/05/89 | 24 |
| 134. | Jeffrey Boesman Mangena | 29/09/89 | 37 |
