JOHANNESBURG - Congress of the People (COPE) leader and co-founder Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota has died, aged 77.
Lekota died at a Johannesburg hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The party confirmed the news, adding that the family had requested privacy during this difficult time.
“On behalf of leadership, membership, and supporters of COPE, we extend our deepest condolences to the Lekota family and all South Africans who mourn this loss,” COPE said in a statement.
Last August, Lekota stepped back from politics to focus on his health. At the time, the party confirmed he was unwell, as he continued to battle an undisclosed illness.
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Willie Madisha, COPE former deputy president said he was extremely saddened by Lekota’s death.
“He has contributed a lot to the struggle to liberate the people of South Africa. History will forever remember him for his contribution,” said Madisha.
Madisha who left COPE under a dark cloud after his membership was terminated in 2023, said he harboured no ill-feelings towards Lekota and the party.
“He was a very good man. We may have had our differences but that does not mean one should ululate at this stage. We were not enemies; I believe when we do meet together after some time, we shall embrace and carry on," he added.
Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa described Lekota as a someone who led from the front, adding that his exit from the ANC strengthened the opposition.
“He was a credible individual. His role in the struggle is well documented, and he led from the front, especially during the UDF era. He will always be remembered for that.”
Lekota served as Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2008.
He also served as the Premier of the Free State after the country's first fully democratic elections in 1994.
Lekota grew up in Kroonstad, Free State. He was expelled from the University of the North due to his political involvement with the Student Representative Council and the Black Consciousness Movement.
While the elected Permanent Organiser for the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO), he was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1974.
Following his release in 1983, he was one of the defendants in the 1985 Delmas Treason Trial and was imprisoned for another four years.