Top SANDF man dies
Defence Secretary January Masilela has died.
He was apparently involved in a car accident early on Sunday morning in Mpumalanga, his grieving family in Pretoria told Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota last night.
Defence spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi said the minister had only heard of the accident late yesterday afternoon. “We don’t really know what happened yet. As you can imagine the family is deeply shocked,” he said.
ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte last night expressed shock as well. “We are all devastated. It’s a great loss not only to defence but also the country,” she said.
She said Masilela had joined the party at a very young age and had been in exile in a number of countries, including Angola where he was appointed political commissar for a number of ANC camps during the struggle.
The news also came as a surprise to SA Air Force Chief Lieutenant-General Carlos Gagiano who had just returned from a night sortie to hear the news.
“That is terrible news,” he said.
Masilela was born in Mhluzi township outside Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. He left the country in 1975 for Zambia where he joined the ANC.
Masilela was one of the country’s longest serving directors-general, having being appointed by President Thabo Mbeki in 1999 and having his contract subsequently renewed.
Masilela was appointed Defence Secretary in 2000, replacing retired Pierre Steyn.
As Defence Secretary he was accounting officer and policy guru for the defence force during an era of great change. His role, set apart from that of the military generals, was designed to ensure the country’s defence force remained under civilian watch and oversight.
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26 Août 2008 à 11:09 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
