The late Levy Kiriri Maleka to be accorded a Special Provincial Official Funeral
The funeral of liberation struggle stalwart Mr Levy Kiriri Maleka, which will be held this Saturday, 16 January 2020 at Gopane village, has been declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category Two by the State President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Kiriri Maleka made a significant contribution in the liberation of South Africa. He was part of the gallant freedom fighters who were committed to the destruction of apartheid rule. He left the country in 1964 to exile through Botswana and finally into Tanzania. He received military training in the Soviet Union in 1969.
Maleka belonged to the celebrated military contingent which President O.R. Tambo christened as the “Luthuli Detachment” at the banks of the Zambezi river when they were about to cross into Rhodesia in 1967. That’s when Umkhonto we Sizwe and Zipra Forces launched a joint armed operation, ambushing the Rhodesian and South African security forces in what became known as the Wanki and Sipolilo campaign.
The Luthuli Detachment courageously distinguished itself during this campaign which was the boldest military engagement ever undertaken by MK forces. He came back to South Africa, his home in 1993 after the unbanning of the ANC but did not integrate into the SANDF, instead he chose the demobilisation option.
Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2 (a) is accorded to distinguished persons specifically designated by the President of South Africa on request by the Premier of a province. As a sign of respect the President has instructed that the National Flags should fly at half-mast in the North West on the day of the funeral of Levy Kiriri Maleka.
The funeral service will start at 07h00 and all Alert Level 3 Lockdown regulations, including the attendance of only 50 people will be observed.
The funeral service will be streamed live on the North West Office of the Premier Facebook page.
For enquiries, contact
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Email: Bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Cell: 082 901 2435
