PHUTI MOSOMANE
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the passing of former Cabinet minister and ANC MP Tina Joemat-Pettersson.
Joemat-Pettersson passed away at her home in Cape Town on Monday evening at the age of 59.
She served as Minister of Energy from May 2014 to March 2017 and was the Minister of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries from 2009 to 2014.
Presidency Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa has offered his sincere condolences to the family of the former Minister, especially her sons Austin and Terrence.
Ramaphosa also offered sympathy to the friends, comrades and parliamentary colleagues of the late minister, who was born in Kimberley and served as MEC for Education from 1994.
At the time of her passing, Joemat-Pettersson was Chair of the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Police.
“We have lost a remarkable leader who dedicated herself to improving the quality of life in her home province of the Northern Cape in the early years of our democracy before assuming national responsibilities in key portfolios.
“We will miss the passion and vigour with which Tina Joemat-Pettersson fought for a better South Africa from the rural villages of the Northern Cape to the benches of Parliament and international platforms,” Ramaphosa said.
ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina said little was known about Joemat-Petterson’s death at the moment, except that she was at home at the time of her passing.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) conveyed its message of heartfelt condolences “on the sore loss” encountered to the family of Tina Joemat-Pettersson.
The SACP said it also conveys its message of sincere condolences to Parliament, the ANC, and the people of South Africa at large.
“Comrade Tina Joemat-Pettersson was also a member of the SACP and played a crucial role in building the structures of the Party in Northern Cape after unbanning in the early 1990s,” spokesperson Dr Alex Mohubetswane Mashilo said.
The party said it was one of the toughest periods in our struggle for liberation, democracy and social emancipation.
“We will remember Tina Joemat-Pettersson above all else through her contribution in building the revolutionary movement that led the struggle to defeat the apartheid regime and achieve our April 1994 democratic breakthrough,” he added.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party was devastated by the untimely passing of Joemat-Pettersson, who served as the party’s national working committee member.
“Death has robbed our movement and the people of South Africa of a humble, dependable and dedicated servant,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She described Joemat-Pettersson as an extraordinary freedom fighter whose sacrifices and commitment to the liberation of her people remained a source of inspiration to many young cadres of in the ANC.
“The ANC pays tribute to this extraordinary freedom fighter whose sacrifices and commitment to the liberation of her people remain a source of inspiration to many young cadres of our movement.”
“All those who love justice, freedom and democracy will sorely miss her intellectual sharpness, political maturity and passion for defending those who are vulnerable in our society, especially women. In this regard, Comrade Tina was unrelenting in her gender activism,” she said.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said extended his condolences to Joemat- Pettersson’s family and friends
He said the former minister has not had an easy life and often spoke about her struggles.
Joemat-Pettersson was recently implicated in bribery allegations made by suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced on Monday that Parliament’s ethics committee would investigate the allegations after it received supporting documents and evidence from Mkhwebane.
Mkhwebane has accused some ANC MPs of using Section 194 Committee, which is investigating her eligibility to hold office, to settle political scores.
Mkhwebane’s husband, Mandla Skosana, filed a case of extortion against ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina, Richard Dyantyi (chair of the parliamentary inquiry against the suspended public protector), and Tina Joemat-Pettersson.
Skosana claim he was asked to pay R200,000 each to Joemat-Pettersson, Dyantyi, and Majodina in exchange for the impeachment proceedings being dropped.
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