Azapo stalwart Thabo Mafihla dies

He was president of the party's youth wing, Azayo, a recruiter for Azanla, its military wing, and a founder member of Atteridgeville-Saulsville Residents' Association

Azanian People's Organisation (Azapo) stalwart and former Highveld East Municipality manager Thabo Mafihla, has died, the party said.

He was president of the party's youth wing, Azayo, a recruiter for Azanla, its military wing, and a founder member of Atteridgeville-Saulsville Residents' Association, read a statement.

"He further spearheaded the launch of various Azapo branches in the Tshwane region.

"Like all struggle veterans from the liberation movement, Thabo Mafihla was a constant target of the apartheid security branch police. He spent quite some time in detention, suffered brutal police harassment and spent sleepless nights in hiding from the apartheid police force – his only sin being his undying commitment for Azapo and the love for his people and community."

A memorial service for Mafihla, who died on Sunday, is scheduled to be held at 2pm on Thursday at Ramushu Hall in Atteridgeville.