13 July 2020

The SACP expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families of SACP Western Cape Province membership administrative volunteer Papadi Kose, former Cosatu Second Deputy President Joyce Pekane, former liberation struggle stalwart and Truth and Reconciliation Commission commissioner Thomas Manthata, former chairperson of Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Mineral Resources and President of the Construction and Allied Workers Union which was integrated into the National Union of Mineworkers Fred Gona, and Ambassador Zindzi Mandela. 

Comrade Zindzi Mandela passed away on Monday, 13 July 2020. Comrade Papadi Kose, Joyce Pekane, Fred Kona and Thomas Manthata passed away last week.   

The SACP further expresses its profound condolences to all the families that lost their loved ones because of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Since the first Covid-19 positive case was confirmed in the country in March 2020, South Africa has lost 4 079 lives to the deadly disease. 

The SACP reiterates its call to all the people in South Africa to observe the national state of disaster regulations and protect the supreme right to life. 

Also, the SACP reiterates its call for a thorough investigation into the assassination of its Brian Bunting District Secretary Cde Siyabulela Siswana. Siswana was assassinated on Wednesday, 1 July 2020. The assassins must be hunted down and brought to book. The Police must leave no stone unturned. Every person who was involved in planning and executing the assassination must be arrested and sentenced to rot in jail. The SACP once more expresses its deep condolences and solidarity with Siswana’s family.