Caxito - South African ambassador to Angola Oupa Ephraim Monareng reiterated Monday in Caxito, northern Bengo province, the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between his country and Angola, in the several fields.
His visit to Bengo province aimed to identify the tomb of the Khotso Flatela and 26 other fighters of the African National Congress (ANC), killed in the commune of Piri (municipality of Dembos).
Oupa Monareng hailed the excellent and longstanding ties between the two peoples.
In a courtesy meeting with the provincial deputy governor for the Political, Social and Economic Sector, José Francisco Bartolomeu, the diplomat said that the two countries are working hard to identify the bodies of the ANC fighters buried in Angola, particularly in Bengo.
“I remember that Khotso Flatela was part of the 27 fighters who died and were buried in a mass grave. Thus, we express our gratitude for safeguarding of the remains", he underlined.
He said that according to African tradition, if the South African government and family members of the fallen combatants are unable to exhume the bones, spiritual repatriation will be the only solution in order to ensure peace within the family.
On the other hand, the diplomat commended the Angolans for the orderly and calm manner they cast their ballot in August 24 general elections, and congratulated the winner (MPLA) and its president.
The provincial deputy governor, José Francisco Bartolomeu Pedro, stressed the Bengo government's support for the exhumation of the bones, having already notified the municipal administration for clearance of the forest at the identified site.
In Bengo, the South African ambassador to Angola visited the commune of Piri (Dembos), where the graves of former soldiers killed in combat during the armed conflict have been identified.
