Remains of political prisoners exhumed
Justice Minister
Michael Masutha presided over the gallows exhumation project which saw the
exhumation of the remains of 83 political prisoners who were hanged at the
Kgosi Mampuru gallows and buried in unmarked graves.
Family members and friends of 12 of the political prisoners gathered at the gravesite at Rebecca Street Cemetery in Pretoria west, where they were buried.
The 12 men were hanged on 3 July 1964 and includes 5 members of the Vulindlela family.
Minister Masutha was taken to the gravesite and briefed about the history of the men.
A total of 130 political prisoners were hanged in the gallows of the correctional centre between 1960 and 1990.
The prisoners were mainly members of the Pan Africanist Congress and United Democratic Front and once they are positively identified, the prisoners' remains will be handed over to their respective families.
#Exhumation 12 people were buried here after they were hanged at Kgosi Mampuru.
— Maryke Vermaak (@MarykeVermaak) December 14, 2016
MV pic.twitter.com/EJ6gN76aJK
#Exhumation Minister Masutha is taken to the grave site and told about the men.
— Maryke Vermaak (@MarykeVermaak) December 14, 2016
MV pic.twitter.com/ni1DRqGfil
#Exhumation The remains are now removed from the grave and now placed in labelled bags. pic.twitter.com/d8vRmrBldw
— Maryke Vermaak (@MarykeVermaak) December 14, 2016