/ 29 November 2005

MK cadres’ remains exhumed in Rustenburg

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Monday exhumed the remains of two Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) cadres who were ambushed and killed by the apartheid security police on May 4 1983.

The NPA said in a statement that Bushy Voltaire Swartbooi (MK Calvin Khakhasa or Karl Marx) and Schoeman Ramokgopa (MK Solomon Mlonzi or Kruschev) were buried at the Tlhabane cemetery on May 10 1983 as unidentified paupers. Their remains were exhumed in the presence of their families on Monday.

The exhumations bring to 23 the number of remains of missing persons that have been exhumed by the NPA so far.

Five of the bodies have already been positively identified and handed over to their respective families for proper burials.

The remainder of the bodies are currently undergoing analysis by forensic anthropologists and DNA testing in a bid to confirm their identities.

In April 2003, President Thabo Mbeki instructed the NPA to finalise the 477 cases of missing persons — presumed dead — that arose out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process. — Sapa