Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

Masilela died on Sunday after being involved in a car accident in Mpumalanga.

The Presidency, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, the African National Congress (ANC) and other political parties expressed regret and sadness at the news of Masilela's death.

The chairmen of both the portfolio committee on defence, Fezile Bhengu, and the joint standing committee on defence, Manie Schoeman, described Masilela's death as untimely. In a joint statement, they said: "His contribution towards the establishment and the building of the democratic dispensation since 1994 in general, and the SANDF since 1999 in particular, is acknowledged and appreciated. He will be missed by those in Parliament who associated with him during his term as the secretary of defence."

Condolences were extended to his widow, Mavis Masilela, as well as children Teboho, Refilwe, Nobuhle, Kagiso, Khumo and Thapelo

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP and defence spokesman Rafeek Shah said the DA had learnt of his death with shock and "we wish to convey our heartfelt sympathies to his bereaved family and wish them God's strength. We pray for their wellbeing through this trying period of grief."

Freedom Front Plus MP Pieter Groenewald expressed similar feelings, saying Masilela had conducted himself well as SA's first defence secretary.

Bhengu expressed discomfort at "the manner" in which the death had been reported. He said to refer to some of the controversies surrounding Masilela at the time of his death was insensitive, and "our culture does not allow negatives when people are in pain".

Masilela, who was born in Mhluzi, Mpumalanga, in 1955, left SA in 1975 to join the ANC in exile. He served with its military wing, Umkhonto weSizwe.

He was appointed defence secretary by President Thabo Mbeki in 1999 and at the time of his death was one of the country's longest serving directors-general in the public service.

Lekota and a delegation of senior officials visited Masilela's family. Lekota said since Masilela joined the department in December 1999, he had served his office with "loyalty and dedication" and played an important role in building relations between the SANDF and other forces through the signing of international agreements.