The African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President, David Mabuza, has called for unity among former MK combatants, in honour of the late former president of the MKMVA Kebby Maphatsoe.
Maphatsoe was also the former Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and served as a Whip in the Arts and Culture unit in Parliament, at the time of his death.
Mabuza visited his family to pay his last respects on Thursday. He was accompanied by several ANC NEC members including Nomvula Mokonyane, Pemmy Majodina, Ayanda Dlodlo and Dakota Legoete.
Kebby Maphatsoe died of a heart attack on Tuesday at his home in Bassonia, south of Johannesburg. And his family took some time to dismiss suggestions that he died of COVID-19 complications.
The former MKMVA president was part of the team that was planning an all-inclusive conference of former ANC soldiers aimed at uniting the ex-combatants of the governing party’s armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. And in his memory, ANC Deputy President, who led the unity talks between the MK National Council and MKMVA said they would work for unity amongst former MK soldiers in honour of Maphatsoe.
The ANC second-in-command also conceded that the ANC is currently facing many challenges including a failure to pay staff and the continued factionalism which has been blamed for the failure to register all candidates for the local government elections.
Mabuza said he believes his party will soon return to its former glory.
Maphatsoe’s memorial service will take place on Friday and he will be laid to rest at Protea Glen in Soweto on Sunday. And as one of the freedom fighters and former Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, it is still not clear if he will be given any official funeral by the state.
VIDEO: RIP Kebby Maphatsoe – ANC officials visit the Maphatsoe home
