Kebby Maphatsoe to be laid to rest on Sunday
The family of Kebby Maphatsoe has confirmed that the late anti-apartheid activist will be laid to rest on Sunday.
The family of Kebby Maphatsoe has confirmed that the late anti-apartheid activist will be laid to rest on Sunday.
Maphatsoe was a former deputy defence minister and president of the now-disbanded Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans' Association (MKMVA).
The family has also refuted claims that Maphatsoe died as a result of Covid-19 complications. Family spokesperson Joseph Maphatsoe says the 58-year-old died of cardiac failure.
"We have heard the media have been saying he died due to Covid-19 complications, no we totally dismiss that. He died peacefully in his sleep, in his house here, on yesterday (Tuesday) at 12h00, at 10h00 o'clock he invited his wife and he told her what must happen when he is dead.
“When the wife came back to give him food, he said ‘no I am still resting may you come after an hour’. When the wife came after an hour, he was fast asleep and she could not realize that Kebby was no more, he died in peaceful sleep in his room here at Meyersdal. Not at a hospital, when paramedics arrived, they said the cause of death is cardiac failure."
The family says there is a list of people whom he wanted to speak at his funeral.
Speaking to the media outside the Maphatsoe family home in Meyersdal south of Johannesburg, acting ANC secretary General Jessie Duarte said the family should be given respect to make decisions on who to speak at the funeral.
"But I also think that's something for the family to decide. I would ask that we respect them. I don't think it is correct for us to push what somebody who on their death bed wishes, thats a family matter and as far we are concerned as the ANC we respect that and i think so should you, actually as the media."
