ANC hit by MPs deaths

THE ANC has lost three Members of Parliament in the space of a week.

Florence Ntombizodwa Nyanda passed away on Saturday in Mpumalanga, after a long illness. Former minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs Sicelo Shiceka died last week, and Public Service and Administration Minister Roy Padayachie died on Friday.

Nyanda became a member of Parliament in 2004 and served on numerous portfolio committees, including safety and security and justice and constitutional development.

Chief whip Mathole Mtshekga's office yesterday released a statement in which the party expressed sadness at Nyanda's death.

"This brings to three the number of ANC MPs who have passed on in the last few days. We are utterly devastated and shattered by these heartbreaking developments," the statement read.

"She was a true servant of the people, a people's person who was always found amongst the community she served.

"We dip our revolutionary banner in memory of her selfless sacrifice and service. We also extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and comrades."

Shiceka - another parliamentarian and ANC member - died a week ago in the Eastern Cape after a long illness.

Padayachie died in Ethiopia while attending an African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) meeting.

He will receive an official state burial on Wednesday in Durban.

Padayachie, 62, was found dead by a colleague on Friday night in his Addis Ababa hotel room.

He became public service and administration minister in October. He was a former minister of communication and before that deputy minister of public service and administration.

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said yesterday: "Padayachie was a loyal, competent and dedicated servant of the people of South Africa,

"His commitment to our democracy and to bettering the lives of ordinary South Africans, especially from our home province of KwaZulu-Natal, was well known," Buthelezi said in a statement.

"Mr Padayachie was not only a great man but a hard worker. He will be sorely missed.

"It was always a pleasure working with him, for he treated other political organisations with the utmost of respect."

"On behalf of the party I lead, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and my family, I wish to extend my sincerest and deepest condolences to Mrs Padayachie, their family and the ANC," Buthelezi said.