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EFF elections strongman Lekhu buried

EFF’s elections manager in the Free State province Thabo Lekhu, who passed away recently from Covid-19 related complications, was laid to rest on Thursday last week in his hometown of Ikhutseng in Warrenton, Northern Cape.

Lekhu is survived by his wife and two children.
He was 45.

A one-time spokesman in the Northern Cape under then health MEC Dipuo Peters, the firebrand politician was vocal on many societal issues, resulting in the EFF appointing him as its elections strong man in the province.

His death has been described as a blow to the family that was nursing the loss of his brother, Rrabatho, who has been declared missing since April 2019.

EFF provincial secretary Shadrack Thlaole passed the party’s condolences to the family, stating the ‘red barets’ have lost an important asset in Lekhu.

Thlaole said Lekhu’s death had robbed the organisation of a strategist who was expected to play an active role towards next year’s local general elections.

A holder of a degree from the University of Cape Town, the late politician was hailed as insightful in political analysis and understanding.

The EFF noted Lekhu’s activism was proof that there was no scarcity of dedicated party cadres in the Northern Cape where he came from.

“He loved the EFF so much he spent his last days formulating an election strategy for the upcoming local municipal elections,” Thlaole told mourners.

The EFF in the Free State has dedicated a page on social media platform Facebook where friends and fellow ‘fighters’ can still dedicate messages to Lekhu’s memory.

“This is partly because of the myriad roles the late Lekhu served the EFF on – a platform where fellow EFF members can attribute testimonies for a leader described as ‘selfless and hard-working,” the party said.

Many spoke of the diligent manner in which he served the EFF.

A week after his burial, messages of condolences continue to pour in from all corners, with many bidding this ‘revolutionary spirit’ farewell.

The EFF is contesting the December 9 by-elections in the Free State wards in Dihlabeng and Mangaung Metro.

By: Ramosidi Matekane