Zimbabwe & Zambia proud to have supported SA's liberation movements during apartheid

JOHANNESBURG - The Zimbabwean and Zambian governments said that they were proud to have offered refuge to members of the African National Congress (ANC), Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) and other liberation movements who were exiled during apartheid.

Representatives of both nations delivered a message of support at the homecoming ceremony of freedom fighters who died while exiled in their countries.

On Wednesday, the remains of 49 struggle stalwarts were returned to South Africa from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Government officials and the families of the liberation heroes gathered at the Freedom Park Heritage Site in Pretoria to honour their legacies.

The coffins containing the remains were placed near the pulpit, draped in the national flag.

Zimbabwe's High Commissioner to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, said that his country's government would continue to show its support, while Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa  Mabuba Monze said that her country’s government was proud to have played a part in South Africa's liberation.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said that the government would continue to repatriate the remains of freedom fighters.