Tshwane spent R2.2 million on Mahlangu programme

03 October 2016 - 09:17 By SIPHO MABENA
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GRAVE CONCERNS: The original tombstone of struggle icon Solomon Mahlangu before it was refurbished by the Tshwane municipality below.
GRAVE CONCERNS: The original tombstone of struggle icon Solomon Mahlangu before it was refurbished by the Tshwane municipality below.
Image: TSHWANE METRO

The squabble between Tshwane municipality and the family of anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Solomon Mahlangu has led to the revelation that the council splurged R2.2-million on tombstones, a marathon race and a lecture as part of Freedom Day celebrations centred on his life.

The Solomon Mahlangu Commemoration and Heritage Legacy programme was endorsed by former Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa.

It involved R1.2-million being spent on nearly 70 tombstones for Mamelodi township apartheid victims and heroes in May.

A report by the municipality's heritage resources management unit said the remainder of the money was spent on grave cleaning and wreath-laying ceremonies, refreshments, decor, and "creative and artistic performances".

The Mahlangu family has rejected the new tombstone and demanded R3-million in damages.

They claim that there was a lack of consultation which resulted in a new tombstone with a base that covered the entire grave and prevented the family from performing an annual appeasing ritual for Mahlangu.

His spirit, according to his family, is troubled by the circumstances surrounding his death, secret burial, exhumation and reburial.

Mahlangu, a member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, was hanged in Pretoria in 1979 after being convicted of murder and terrorism.

He was buried in Atteridgeville and reburied in Mamelodi in 1993.

Tshwane municipality spokes-man Selby Bokaba is adamant that Mahlangu's family had been consulted and had agreed to the replacement tombstone.

"This was a special project run from [Ramokgopa's] office as part of a legacy project. All families, including that of Mahlangu, were consulted."

The family's lawyer, Lehodi Nkoana, said he had taken instructions from the head of the family, Lucas Mahlangu, and that the "matter is going to court" if there is no acceptable response from the municipality by today.

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