Basil February’s brother wants his remains to be repatriated during his parents’ lifetime

CAPITAL – The brother of murdered freedom fighter Basil February says he would like to see repatriation take place while their parents are still alive.

February, who was an agent of uMkhonto weSizwe, was killed in combat after being exiled to Zimbabwe in 1967.

Fifty-seven years after he was shot dead by apartheid security forces in Bulawayo, his remains were brought back to South Africa in September.

Terence February, Basil’s younger brother, said the family can finally start to heal.

But after his brother was buried in the family cemetery in Somerset West on Tuesday, February said he wished it had happened sooner.

“My only regret is that after all these years, I think it would be much better if this repatriation could have happened while my parents were still alive.”

Luty said his thoughts were with their mother as he buried his brother.

“My mother mourned Basil’s death from 1967 until her death in 2004.”

Luty said that although it seemed surreal, burying his brother on home soil brought relief to the family.