The head of the disbanded Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) Kebby Maphatsoe passed away on Tuesday.

Tribute messages were pouring in social media on Tuesday afternoon following reports of Maphatsoe’s passing.

[JUST-IN] Former MKMVA President Kebby Maphatsoe is no more. He passed away this afternoon, Maphatsoe was also an ANC MP and former Deputy Minister of Defence and military veterans. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/NjhPEDZA2J

— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) August 31, 2021

Maphatsoe is the former deputy minister of defence and military veterans, serving in the position from 2014 to 2019.

Akwehlanga lingehlanga. To the family of comrade Kebby Maphatsoe and the whole MK, condolences.

We are with you in these painful times. pic.twitter.com/zkj4tR9cU3

— #ZumaIsFree (@ComradeMDU) August 31, 2021

The former deputy minister has also served on the governing African National Congress’ national executive committee.

With deep sadness & heavy heart, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Families, Friends & Comrades of Late Gen. #Kebby Maphatsoe, who passed away on even date, after a brief illness.
Hamba Khale General, Good Night!💔😢🕊#RIPKebbyMaphatsoe
Picture: Collen Mashaba pic.twitter.com/UKbMqab4Uk

— OKAFOR MA ATTORNEYS INC.⚖ (@OkaforAttorneys) August 31, 2021

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula was among the people who shared a tribute message following reports of Maphatsoe’s passing.

#RIPKebbyMaphatsoe 💔💔💔💔💔👊👊 pic.twitter.com/9Hro9GNxuo

— |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) August 31, 2021

It was reported at the weekend that Maphatsoe had filed a defamation lawsuit against Mbalula after the latter allegedly attacked the late ANC veteran on social media last year.

Snake!!!! pic.twitter.com/AF0t7v4k2N

— Radical rudeness (@VamatiTuli) August 31, 2021

City Press reported that Maphatsoe was demanding R1.2 million in damages for the statements the minister made on social media that he, Maphatsoe, “was a thug”, and “a criminal” who allegedly “used certain security companynies” to score contracts at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).

I hope Minister Mbalula and Kebby Maphatsoe ended the public public that has been going in for over 12 months now. #ripkebbymaphatsoe pic.twitter.com/MeFHekntKw

— TK_Nala. (@NalaThokozane) August 31, 2021

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