A member of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the National Council of Provinces, Nelson Raju, died while playing a round of golf on Wednesday.
Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said in a statement that it was with ”profound sorrow and a sense of loss” that he had received the news that Raju had passed away.
Buthelezi said Raju had a distinguished record of public services in civic organisations as well as in active politics, and would be sorely missed by his colleagues.
Raju leaves his wife, Gloria, and their children, Aldrin and Aletta. Raju had served as a permanent delegate of the National Council of Provinces since June 1999 and in this Parliament served as the IFP’s education and recreation spokesperson; arts, science and technology, public services and the joint monitoring committee on the improvement of quality for youth, children and disabled persons.
Raju joined the IFP not long before the national election in April. He previously served as a member of the Democratic Alliance. – Sapa