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PRESIDENT MBEKI PAYS TRIBUTE TO A GREAT PATRIOT
President Thabo Mbeki today (early hours of Saturday, 27 April) paid tribute following the news of the death of the Minister of Safety and Security, Mr Steve Tshwete. President Mbeki said: "On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa we wish to express our profound condolences to the family to Mr Tshwete.
"This untimely death has robbed our country of an outstanding freedom fighter, and ANC leader, a cabinet Minister and a committed leader in the reconstruction and development of our country."
President Mbeki described Minister Tshwete as a genuinely warm human being who was among the first in the long line of ANC leaders who reconciled with those who captured and eventually subjected them to imprisonment, torture and exile.
The President has therefore directed that Minister Tshwete be given an official funeral and that the South African flag should fly at half-mast nationally from today until the evening of the funeral.
Enquiries: Bheki Khumalo on 083-256-9133
Issued by: The Presidency, 27 April 2002