Malizole Diko, a Member of Parliament who defected from General Bantu Holomisa’s United Democratic Movement (UDM) last year to form the United Independent Front, (UIF) died in the early hours of Friday morning.
Colleagues said that he had died after a short illness in Cape Town and had been extremely ill in recent weeks.
A tribute flowed in from his erstwhile leader, Holomisa, who said that his party was saddened by news that “our former secretary general and deputy president, Malizole Diko, has passed away”.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues during this time of bereavement.”
Diko, who was elected in 2004 to Parliament, had played a “pivotal role” in Western Cape structures of the UDM. “His contribution was such that he was later promoted to act as national spokesperson and later national secretary general,” said Holomisa.
“Finally he was elected as deputy president of the United Democratic Movement until he defected to form his own party.”
Diko and a UDM colleague MN Mdaka left the UDM to form the UIF in September 2005 during the two weeks floor-crossing window. The new party also gained a seat in the National Council of Provinces. It also participated in local government elections earlier this year. – I-Net Bridge