Activist killed in Swaziland bomb blast is laid to rest
The TIMES, October 05, 2008
Family and friends of former anti- apartheid activist Jack Govender, who was killed in a bomb explosion in Swaziland two weeks ago, bid him farewell yesterday.
The former Bayview activist, a founding member of the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) — a liberation movement — and fellow freedom fighter Musa Dlamini were killed after a bomb detonated in their car near one of King Mswati III’s palaces in Lozitha. Swazi authorities claimed that the pair were attempting to blow up a bridge in the area.
Last week, Govender’s family had not yet received official confirmation of his death. Family members travelled to Swaziland this week to identify his body and bring it back to Chatsworth for his funeral service.
SSN spokesman Lucky Lukhele said the organisation was deeply saddened by the two freedom fighters’ deaths.
“We reject the notion that they killed themselves. Between them, they had a lot of experience. We demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned to seek the truth behind their untimely deaths,” he said.
“They were freedom fighters, not terrorists.” — Suthentira Govender
Family and friends of former anti- apartheid activist Jack Govender, who was killed in a bomb explosion in Swaziland two weeks ago, bid him farewell yesterday.
The former Bayview activist, a founding member of the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) — a liberation movement — and fellow freedom fighter Musa Dlamini were killed after a bomb detonated in their car near one of King Mswati III’s palaces in Lozitha. Swazi authorities claimed that the pair were attempting to blow up a bridge in the area.
Last week, Govender’s family had not yet received official confirmation of his death. Family members travelled to Swaziland this week to identify his body and bring it back to Chatsworth for his funeral service.
SSN spokesman Lucky Lukhele said the organisation was deeply saddened by the two freedom fighters’ deaths.
“We reject the notion that they killed themselves. Between them, they had a lot of experience. We demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned to seek the truth behind their untimely deaths,” he said.
“They were freedom fighters, not terrorists.” — Suthentira Govender