Former apartheid prisoners reunited with their families

By Nomava Nobumba
25 August 2009

Robben Island will tomorrow host a site visit for the families of the three political prisoners who died on the Island between 1965 and 1968.

Martiens Batyi, Solomon Makisi and Charlie Mkele were secretly buried in the proper sections of the Stikiland cemetery.

Their families will be taken to Robben Island as well as on their graves and they will get a chance to give the deceased a proper funeral in their place of birth in the Eastern Cape.

“After their families have seen their graves it will be a long process, because the DNA test will be performed,” said Heritage Department researcher Nolubabalo Thongo-Cetywayo.

The process will take five to six months.

The department is also requesting the assistance of the public to find the fourth victim’s relative, John Poni who is believed to be from KwaZakhele township in Port Elizabeth.

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