Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
March 20, 1998
STATEMENT FROM THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION: EXHUMATIONS IN LOUIS TRICHARDT
The remains of 13 Mkhonto weSizwe (MK) operatives, killed in combat with members of the Security Forces of the former government and secretly buried at the Sekoto Cemetery in Louis Trichardt, will be exhumed over three days next week, from Tuesday March 24 to Thursday March 26.
The remains that will be exhumed on Tuesday will be those of Jeremiah A. Timola, of Diepkloof, Soweto, who was ambushed and killed in Louis Trichardt in August 1986; Michael Modise, of Naledi in Soweto, who was killed in November 1986; Matsidiso C. Tsatsi of Naledi, who was killed in Bophuthatswana in May 1984, and Moses Khosi from Mamelodi East, who was killed in Messina in November 1986.
On Wednesday, the bodies of six people will be exhumed: Bonisile Komane of Middledrift, who was killed in the Eastern Transvaal in March 1986; Mbengeni Kone alias Zola Tati, of KwaNobuhle township in Uitenhage, who was killed in Soutpansberg in November 1988; Sipho Victor Kolisi of Joza Location, Grahamstown, who was killed in Messina on November 1986; Mncedi Nomsi of East London, who was killed in Messina in 1986; Luvuyo Khehla, who was killed in Louis Trichardt in July 1986, and Mlungisi Velaphi of East London, killed in Motale River in March 1988.
The last three bodies that will be exhumed on Thursday March 26 will be those of Frans K. Gonheng of Seshego in Pietersburg, who was killed in Waterpoort in September 1987; Oupa Molefe, who was killed in Soutpansberg in July 1988, and Lawrence Lesemola, also killed in Soutpansberg in July 1988.
Inquiries: For more information please contact Mdu Lembede on 082 458 8464 or Phila Ngqumba on 082 458 8463.