SOUTH Africa’s Ambassador to Algeria, Billy Masetlha, has died at the age of 68.
Masetlha, who was serving as South Africa’s ambassador to Algeria, died on Sunday.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation has confirmed that he passed away after a long illness.
Masetlha has served the government in various capacities, and was a former Director-General of the South African National Intelligence Agency. He also served as a Presidential Advisor.
He was also elected as a Member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 53rd National Conference in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, Free State Province, in December 2012.
However, he was fired from his post as Director-General of Intelligence by former President Thabo Mbeki in 2006, allegedly over hoax emails which said senior African National Congress members were conspiring against its then deputy president, Jacob Zuma, and erstwhile Secretary-General Kgalema Motlanthe.
Masetlha was blamed for authorising the unlawful surveillance of ANC executive and businessman Saki Macozoma under the pretext that he was involved with foreign intelligence.
The former spy boss was exiled in Botswana and Zambia. During this time, he worked with the youth and student organisations in the fight against the apartheid regime.
Originally from Johannesburg’s Alexandra Township, Masetlha was a protege of ANC leader Joe Gqabi, who was later assassinated by apartheid agents in Zimbabwe. Gqabi had entrusted him with mobilising for the ANC and creating ANC structures.
International relations and cooperation minister Dr Naledi Pandor said South Africa has lost an experienced and dependable representative and a firm believer in the ideals and goals of Pan-Africanism.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ambassador Masetlha,” said Pandor.
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