Pik Botha defended apartheid and delayed freedom – Lesufi

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has accused the late Pik Botha of defending and delaying the freedom of black people during apartheid.

Lesufi wants to be left out of praises of the once foreign affairs minister who played a role in transitioning the country to democracy.

He accuses Botha of passing away withholding information related to the death of Samora Machel, then Mozambican president, military commander, politician and revolutionary.

It appears Lesufi may be going against the ANC, who have viewed Botha as one of the few National Party members who realised that apartheid was a crime against humanity.

Spokesperson Pule Mabe said the party was saddened by the passing, but acknowledged and appreciated his positive contribution towards building a new and better South Africa.

Botha, who was considered a liberal compared to other apartheid leaders, died on Thursday night.

His son Roelof Botha confirmed the news this morning that his 86-year-old father had passed away after being in hospital for a month.

Botha served as the country’s foreign minister in the last years of the apartheid era. He later served as mineral and energy affairs minister in Nelson Mandela’s government.

The Citizen earlier reported that he was considered a liberal with the bulk of his career spent defending South Africa’s apartheid system of racial segregation against foreign criticism.

He is survived by his second wife Ina, two sons, the rock musician Piet Botha and the economist Roelof, along with two daughters, Anna Hertzog and artist Lien Botha.

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