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Whether, following reports that the Zambian High Commission has formally raised the matter of seven South African freedom fighters whose remains are uncollected at the Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka since the late 1980s with his off

Parliament of South AfricaRef: NW880

Official source

Source domain: pmg.org.za

Collected on 17 June 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 9 July 2026)Official source

What this means

The document is a question (NW880) in Parliament to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture about seven South African freedom fighters whose remains are uncollected at the Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka. It states that the Department is engaging through intergovernmental channels to repatriate the remains, cites DNA testing and exhumation/identification challenges, and notes involvement in the Exile Repatriation Programme with a commitment to complete identification and eventual repatriation in consultation with families. The response indicates progress, delays due to technical forensic requirements, and a timeline that expects results in coming months.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

repatriation of remains programmeOngoing

Repatriation of identified remains of South African freedom fighters (Exile Repatriation Programme)

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is working through intergovernmental and diplomatic channels to repatriate the remains of South Africans who passed away in exile. The Department will return the correct remains to the respective families with dignity and certainty after identification is concluded, and will proceed with repatriation in consultation with the affected families.

Who it is for
affected families of the freedom fighters and relevant stakeholders involved in repatriation of South Africans who passed away in exile
How to act on it
The Department engages through appropriate intergovernmental and diplomatic channels with relevant stakeholders; repatriation proceeds after identification and in consultation with the affected families.
Show the line this came from
Once the identification process has been concluded, the Department, working with relevant partners, will proceed with the repatriation process in consultation with the affected families.

Facts

Reference

NW880

Key Takeaways

  • reference number NW880
  • topic: repatriation of seven South African freedom fighters' remains
  • location: Maina Soko Military Hospital, Lusaka
  • issues: exhumation, cemetery records, grave numbering, tombstone placement
  • methods: DNA testing, specialised DNA laboratory
  • programme: Exile Repatriation Programme
  • status: progress with delays, results expected in coming months
  • stakeholders: Zambian High Commission, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, affected families

Dates

Opening Date

20 March 2026