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| Picture Contributed |
The remains of former Robben Island political prisoners Simon Petrus Niilenge and Festus Nehale have been exhumed in Cape Town, South Africa, more than five decades after their deaths during the apartheid era.
The exhumation, carried out on 13 August 2026, forms part of efforts to establish and scientifically document the identities and circumstances surrounding the remains before their repatriation.
A preliminary forensic investigation is being conducted to verify the men’s biological identities, document the positions in which the remains were found and assess their physical condition.
The process is also intended to provide the necessary scientific and legal documentation to support their eventual repatriation and ensure that their remains are handled with dignity and respect.
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| Picture Contributed |
Niilenge and Nehale were among Namibians who were imprisoned on Robben Island during the apartheid period. Their exhumation represents a significant step towards addressing the unresolved legacy of political imprisonment and ensuring that former prisoners who died away from home can be properly identified and returned for burial.
Further forensic findings are expected to guide the next stages of the repatriation process.
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