27 April 2002
I have learnt with profound shock of the death, this morning, of Minister Steve Tshwete, the Minister of Safety and Security. His untimely death is a great loss to the nation, the people of South Africa, the sub-continent, and to Africa as a whole. Minister Tshwete was a great friend even if we never spoke about it. He had a unique personality. As a colleague in Cabinet - since our first democratic elections in 1994 - he was likeable, a warm comrade and easy to work with.
Minister Tshwete was instrumental in the struggle. He led the Border delegation at the launch of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1983 and Sebe later detained him. Minister Tshwete received a persona non grata order in the RSA from the Minister of Interior. This meant if he had to enter the RSA, he had to be in possession of a visa and a temporary resident’s permit.
The matter was taken to Grahamstown Supreme Court, but Tshwete lost the case. In the meantime he travelled all over the country addressing rallies and mass funerals.
He left the country in 1985. Whilst abroad in Lusaka and Zambia, he served in a number of African National Congress (ANC) committees. He went for military training and was appointed to be the Army Commissar of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He was then co-opted into the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC in 1988. He was part of the delegation that went to Groote-Schuur in 1990. Minister Tshwete returned to the country permanently on instructions of the NEC on 21 May 1990 to assume the work of the National Organiser and Chairperson of the National Organising Committee.
In the interactions that I have had with him, especially during the past months regarding the establishment of a special unit within the South African Police Service to deal with safety and security at transport points such as train stations, airports, ports and taxi ranks, I found him considerate, sensitive to the interests and safety of his people. For these and other reasons, South Africans and I, personally, will continue to admire him.
My condolences go to his wife Pamela, their two children and other members of the family. We are with you at this moment of grief. My Acting Director-General, Professor Medard Rwelamira, his management team and the entire transport fraternity have also sent the same message of condolences.
LALA NGO XOLO COMRADE STEVE.
Issued for and on behalf of Abdulah M. Omar, MP Minister of Transport and
Professor Medard Rwelamira, Acting Director-General by
Mike Mabasa
HEAD: Media Liaison and Corporate Communications