Kebby Maphatsoe to be laid to rest on Sunday

Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) president Kebby Maphatsoe will be laid to rest on Sunday, MKMVA spokesperson Carl Niehaus announced on Thursday evening.

Maphatsoe died on Tuesday afternoon, and according to his brother Joseph Maphatsoe, he died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Meyersdal, Alberton.

Joseph said his brother died from cardiac failure, a chronic condition in which the heart does not pump blood as well as it should.

“He died peacefully while sleeping in his room, not at the hospital as people have been saying. And when the paramedics arrived, I was also with them. They said the cause of death is a cardiac failure.”

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Maphatsoe’s memorial service will be held at Maranata Church, Cnr. Tshipo and Boulevard Street, Protea Glen, Extension 3 from 3pm on Friday.

His funeral will be held at the GOG Recreation Centre, Extension 14, Protea Glen, on Sunday at 10am.

Both the Memorial Service and Funeral Service will also be streamed live on MYANC social media platforms, said Niehaus.

“In order to comply with Covid-19 protocols ‘drive past’ arrangements have been made at the Maphatsoe family residence, 574 Thistle Street, Meyersdal Nature Estate. From tomorrow at 10:00 comrades and friends will be able to drive past to pay their respects, and sign a book of condolences,” said Niehaus in a statement.

“With the passing of comrade Kebby Maphatsoe the spear that he has carried with so much dignity and commitment has fallen, it is the revolutionary task of all of us to pick it up, and to re-commit ourselves to fulfil our historical revolutionary task to which comrade Maphatsoe had contributed his whole life. A LUTA CONTINUA!”

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Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde. Additional reporting by Thapelo Lekabe