RIP Thembinkosi Apleni: Sudden death of EFF MP shocks Eastern Cape

Thembinkosi Apleni, an MP for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Eastern Cape, was was found dead at his home in Qonce, the party confirmed on Sunday.

His body was found on Friday. The EFF has yet to disclose any information regarding the cause of his untimely death.

RIP Thembinkosi Apleni

On Sunday, Parliament said it was saddened by Apleni’s unexpected passing.

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said Apleni will be “remembered for his passion for the youth”.

She said he had made it his mission to “contribute to the curbing of youth unemployment and to improve the conditions of the indigent in South Africa”.

Remembered as a fighter

Meanwhile, the EFF’s provincial secretary, Simthembile Madikizela, told Sowetan Live they are heartbroken by Apleni’s passing.

“Thembinkosi Apleni will be remembered as a freedom fighter hailing from the ‘Home of Legends’, the Eastern Cape,” Madikizela added.

Apleni’s memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, and he will be laid to rest on Saturday, 20 May.

Madikizela said both services will take place in Qonce, with the exact locations to be announced soon.

Apleni’s legacy

Apleni represented the Eastern Cape in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as an EFF delegate since 2019.

His committee assignments included:

• Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture
• Select Committee on Health and Social Services
• Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure
• Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour

Prior to that, he was appointed as the party’s provincial secretary in 2015, and served as councillor in the Buffalo City municipality from August 2016.

He was elected as the party’s deputy provincial chairperson two years later. Apleni was also a qualified paralegal, a qualification he acquired soon after matriculating.