State to spend R1m on funerals for Poqo heroes

THE state has set aside about R1million towards funeral logistics for 14 militants from the armed wing of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), Poqo, who were hanged and buried in Pretoria in 1963 for their political activities.

The funds will also cover the funeral expenses of PAC veteran and Poqo cadre, Phumelele Nkwenkwe Gaqa, 75, who in 1963 miraculously escaped the noose.

Released in January 1979 after almost 20 years in prison, Gaqa had been campaigning tirelessly for the return of the remains of the 14 cadres. He died on Saturday while delivering a speech at the reburial of one of the 14 in Bhaziya near Mthatha.

He will be buried in Bhaziya on March 18.

Sport, recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC) MEC, Pemmy Majodina yesterday confirmed that Gaqa’s funeral, like the 14 others, would be state-sponsored.

Majodina’s department will spend more than R300 000 on the logistics of the 15 burials. The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) has budgeted R300 000 to buy 15 tombstones at R20 000 each while the Justice Department has set aside R375 000 to give each of the 15 families R25 000 for coffins and other burial expenses.

The DMV will also provide transport for military veterans to attend the funerals.

“The fallen heroes’ political contribution has no price tag,” Majodina, who is championing the reburial process, said.

The KSD municipality is going to provide machinery to dig graves and a grader to fix the roads to the homesteads, while the O R Tambo district municipality will provide water tanks and two mobile toilets to all 15 homesteads and provide other needs.

The reburial services, which started on Saturday, will run until March 18 when Gaqa will be buried.

Gaqa, who is survived by his wife, Nophelo and seven children, spent years knocking on every door urging the state to return the remains of the 14 men, who were hanged and buried in Pretoria.

He also ensured that the men’s widows and children benefited from special state pensions.

Majodina said she had spoken to DMV Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Justice Minister, Michael Masutha about Gaqa’s funeral preparations being included in the budget.

“We have agreed that Tat’u Gaqa’s funeral forms part of the 14 comrades, meaning that we will bury all 15.”

“The government is paying a special honour for his contribution,” Majodina said.

Although the family had initially planned to bury Gaqa on March 5, the date was changed to March 18 after the family met with a government delegation led by Majodina and PAC provincial leadership on Sunday. —