Media Statements

Minister Masutha to officiate the handover and reburial of former Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) member, Norman Petersen

28 July 2016

As part of the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Adv. Michael Masutha, will officiate the handover and reburial of the remains of former Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) member, the late Cde Norman Petersen (MK Billy Holiday) on Saturday, 30 July 2016, in Paarl, Cape Town.  

Petersen was born in 1966 and cut his political teeth by becoming an anti-apartheid activist in 1980 during his time at Klein Nederburg Senior Secondary School.

After undergoing military training in Bulgaria, he infiltrated South Africa on MK mission to Cape Town via Zambia and Botswana in 1986. He stayed at a 'safe house' for a number of months in New Crossroads. On the morning of 11 March 1987 members of the apartheid era security police raided the house and shot him dead with a shotgun in his bedroom.  He was buried in Paarl under police guard in an unmarked grave. Fourteen buckshot pellets were found in his chest.

The Missing Persons Task Team (MPTT) exhumed and positively verified his remains which are now ready for handover and reburial. 

Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date:              30 July 2016
Time:             10:00
Venue: Klein Nederburg Senior Secondary School, Paarl, Western Cape

For media confirmations contact Mr Solomon Kganyago on 083 499 8243/ Skganyago@justice.gov.za or Mr Kgomotso Makinta on 073 281 9661/ Kmakinta@justice.gov.za

Issued by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

Enquiries: Mthunzi Mhaga
Spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Correctional services
0836418141
Mediaenquiries@justice.gov.za