Pretoria: The remains of five former Umkhonto we Sizwe members, who were killed in various battles against the then South African Defence Force between 1978 and 1988, were handed over to their families in East London on Saturday.

The event was held at the East London City Hall.

The names of the five victims, whose remains were handed over to their families, are Mlungiseleli Velaphi (MK Mzimkulu Goduka) from East London, Sizakele Buzo (MK Perez Nomvula) from Port Elizabeth, Fuzile Zigoxo (MK Marvin Kgasupane) from Port Elizabeth, Sipho Kolisi (MK Luvuyo Kehla) from Grahamstown and Vuyani Goniwe (MK Jorrisen) from Alice.

All five were buried as unidentified paupers in Tshikota cemetery in Louis Trichardt/Makhado in Limpopo.

Their remains were exhumed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1998 and were given to incorrect families.

The occasion was attended by, amongst others, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe, Defence and Military Veterans Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla, family members as well as various stakeholders.

The reburial of fallen combatants during the liberation struggle, as well as other military veterans, constitutes part of the mandate of the Department of Military Veterans to honour and memorialise military veterans, in line with Section 5 of the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011.

SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICIAL NEWS