Kwatsaduza – Covid-19 has claimed another life of a struggle fighter and one of the founding members of PAC, Phillip Mlambo.
The former commander-in-chief of the Azanian People’s Liberation Army died on Saturday at a Johannesburg hospital due to Covid-19-related illnesses.
The London-educated economist died aged 80.
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Mlambo, popularly known as River, was arrested on March 31, 1963, along with seven other accused.
He was accused number one charged with plotting to overthrow the apartheid government, where he was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on Robben Island.
Mlambo was tortured and subjected to inhumane treatment by the apartheid security police.
At one point he was buried up to his neck and the officers took turns urinating on his head.
He was involved in the planning of the 1960 anti-pass demonstrations which led to the Sharpeville massacre.
After his release on June 20, 1983, he spent 10 days in the country before joining the PAC in exile.
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Mlambo took over as APLA’s commander-in-chief in June 1985.
He was instrumental in the formation of Azanian National Youth Unity. He returned to the country and engaged in the negotiations of Codesa ahead of the 1994 elections.
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