The veteran politician of South Africa has died at the age of 95

2023-09-09 14:07:00, Aktualitet CNA

Veteran politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi in South Africa has passed away.

The news was announced by the country's presidency in a statement on Saturday.

"I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi... Traditional Prime Minister for the Zulu Monarch and Nation, and Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement.

Local media site Neës24 reported that Buthelezi had undergone a procedure for back pain in July.

The South African presidency said it would consult with Buthelezi's family and government on arrangements "to mourn and honor Inkosi of the Buthelezi clan as a leader who played an important role in the country's history for seven decades."

Buthelezi was the leader of the IFP during South Africa's period of turmoil that led to the country's transition during the 1980s and early-mid 1990s.

Buthelezi was seen as a controversial figure who was at odds with the African National Congress (ANC) now in power.

Thousands of people were killed in violent clashes during this period. The apartheid government at the time was accused of inciting political violence by using a third clandestine force, claims which the last apartheid president, FË de Klerk, has denied.

Buthelezi would pull out at the last minute and take part in the country's first free and fair elections in April 1994, a vote that ended apartheid rule and brought Nelson Mandela to office.

Buthelezi would serve in the national unity government as Minister of Home Affairs, and even served as acting president, during which time he signed an order to send troops into neighboring Lesotho to quell the unrest.

Mangosuthu Buthelezi resigned as leader of his Inkatha Freedom Party 2019 after 44 years at the helm./ CNA