South Africa has initiated the process of exhuming 26 bodies of anti-apartheid activists from Zambia, a neighbouring country to the north. The process of exhumation is scheduled to span three days.
During the era of apartheid, which came to an end in the mid-1990s, these 26 individuals lost their lives while seeking refuge in Zambia and were laid to rest in the capital city of Lusaka.
The Mayor of Lusaka, Chilando Chitangala, expressed solidarity with the families of the deceased heroes. During a ceremony on Wednesday, Chitangala highlighted the enduring friendly relations between Zambia and South Africa, forged through their shared struggles to free Africa from oppression, injustice, and tyranny.
According to a statement released by the Lusaka City Council, Kenan Zulu, speaking on behalf of the Zambia National Heritage Conservation Commission, emphasised the significance of repatriating the remains of South African freedom icons as a gesture of peace and respect for the affected families.