The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in Silver

Mr Maurice Bogatsu (Posthumous) – Botswana Awarded for:

His excellent contribution to the fight for liberation, carrying out dangerous missions between South Africa and Botswana with members of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK).

Mr Maurice Bogatsu was born in Mochudi Village, Botswana and was a Botswana Government public servant, employed as a driver.

He was married to a South African African National Congress (ANC) sympathizer who introduced him to Keith Mokoape, an MK commander. The commander introduced him to the Operational Command, who gave Bogatsu money to buy and register a vehicle in his name.

Each time the Command intended to send weapons into South Africa, Bogatsu would be requested to surrender the vehicle. It would be packed with material and literature, and he would be asked to go shopping in Johannesburg, but leave the car at a particular spot, to fetch it at a prescribed time.

Bogatsu, not knowing what he was carrying, undertook several trips, until he was sold out by one of the commanders on the Operational Command. It was later discovered that the man was Peter Mogoai, who had infiltrated the ANC. Bogatsu, under severe torture, stood his ground and was sentenced to eight years on Robben Island.

During his jail term his wife divorced him, and when he was released with other political prisoners to pave way for negotiations, returned to his home country, Botswana.