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Johannesburg — President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Maputo, Mozambique to unveil the Matola Monument and Interpretative Centre to commemorate Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) members and one Mozambican killed during the Matola raid by apartheid-government defence forces in 1981. Zuma arrived in the city late on Thursday evening, the Presidency said in a statement.
He will join Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi to lay wreaths at the grave site in Llhanguene cemetery in memory of those from South Africa and Mozambique who were killed during the raid, and those who died in Mozambique around the same period. “The unveiling of the memorial will enable South Africa to pay homage to the fallen soldiers and also acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions made by the Mozambicans towards a free, non-racial and democratic South Africa,” spokesperson Bongani Majola said in a statement.
“The monument and the centre also form part government’s effort to redress the historical imbalances in heritage sites, and to promote social cohesion and nation building. They also form part of the Liberation Heritage Route which preserves South Africa’s liberation legacy.” On January 31, 1981, the SA Defence Force raided African National Congress safe houses in Matola, Maputo, where 13 MK members and one Mozambican were killed. The safe houses served as transit points for MK cadres.
Zuma was accompanied by families of the victims, as well as Arts and Culture Miniter Nathi Mthethwa, International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Deputy Minister for Military Veterans Kebby Maphatsoe. — AFP
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