Media Statement

Minister Kubayi to lead Reburial of Political Activists In Greater Letaba, Limpopo — A major step towards closing the Gallows Exhumation Project

17 Jul 2025

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, will on Saturday, 19 July 2025, preside over a solemn and historic handover and reburial ceremony of the exhumed remains of political activists Alex Mashapa Matsepane and Solomon Mankopane Mawasha at Ga-Maupa village in the Greater Letaba Local Municipality, Limpopo.
Deputy Minister Andries Nel will accompany the Minister at this ceremony, which marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s ongoing journey toward healing, justice, and reconciliation, reaffirming the government’s dedication to honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle against apartheid.

The reburial of Matsepane and Mawasha forms part of the Gallows Exhumation Project, a national effort to return the remains of political prisoners executed under apartheid. Launched in 2016, the project seeks to restore dignity to those buried without their families’ consent.

The Ga-Maupa ceremony marks a major milestone, the final stage of a long and painful journey, symbolising the closure of a dark chapter in South Africa’s history.
It is one of the final three handover ceremonies, bringing the nation closer to concluding the Gallows Exhumation Project.

Of the 83 remains identified, 76 have been handed over, with the final reburials set for the Eastern Cape. The nearing completion of the project reflects government’s ongoing commitment to redress and restorative justice.

Matsepane and Mawasha, both from Ga-Maupa, were part of a group aligned with the United Democratic Front (UDF) that participated in a mid-1980s protest against apartheid-imposed tribal authorities.

During the protest, members of the Tribal Council were attacked and killed. The two activists were subsequently arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death.

Although their families were informed of their execution, they were denied the right to bury their loved ones. The two were buried as paupers, reflecting the apartheid regime’s broader practice of stripping families of the right to mourn with dignity.

Following decades of advocacy, their remains were finally exhumed on 09 July 2025. Pre-exhumation proceedings and traditional family rituals were held in Tshwane, supported by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Unit of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, which has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure a dignified reburial.

Members of the media are invited to cover the event as follows:
Date : Saturday, 19 July 2025
Time : 09h00
Venue : Ga-Maupa village, Greater Letaba Local Municipality, Limpopo

RSVP: To confirm attendance, please contact: Mr Junior Kotu – 078 457 6484.

Media Enquiries: Mr Terrence Manase, Spokesperson to the Minister - 082 338 6707

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA