Fallen heroes’ exhumation committee commissioned

WINDHOEK, 22 AUG (NAMPA) – The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Frans Kapofi on Tuesday commissioned the Committee for the Exhumation and Reinterment of the Remains of the Martyrs of the Namibian Liberation Struggle.
Former safety and security minister, Charles Namoloh, who also served as a commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), will head the committee. Members include retired Brigadier General Salomon Shikongo, retired Colonel DA Ndatipo, Erica Ndalikokule, A Basanero, Elvis Handura, Penofina Eises and Timoteus Mashuna. The commissioning of the committee comes days before the commemoration of Heroes’ Day on 26 August, at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region.
“Several years ago, Government mandated the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to ensure that the history of the struggle for national liberation is preserved and kept alive for the present and future generations,” Kapofi said.
The committee will ensure that the remains of former PLAN combatants buried in shallow graves and those unburied all over the former operational areas in Namibia are accorded dignified burials at existing memorial sites, or any other identified burial site that is properly zoned, securely preserved and maintained.
“Not only will you be undertaking this exhumation and reinterment exercise to implement a government directive of preserving and keeping the history of the struggle for national liberation alive, but you will also be ensuring that these fallen heroes and heroines are given dignified burials for their souls to rest in peace. I should indicate that the task ahead of you will not be an easy one. You will be travelling long distances, at times negotiating uncompromising terrains, but don’t despair, you will be doing this for the love of your country and in honour of our fallen comrades,” Kapofi told the committee.
Liberation heroes are buried at Heroes’ Acre, Eenhana Shrine, Omugulugwombashe and Ondeshifilwa monument.
(NAMPA)
EB/PS/AS