Deputy President Motlanthe attends the funeral of the late Vice-President  Joseph Msika of Zimbabwe

Pretoria – Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has today, Monday 10 August 2009, departed South Africa for Harare, Zimbabwe, to attend the funeral of the late Vice-President Joseph Msika on behalf of the government and people of South Africa.

In an earlier message of condolence, President Jacob Zuma stated: “It is with a deep sense of sadness that I have learnt of the passing of Vice President Msika at this critical time in the history of Zimbabwe when challenges facing the country need experienced leaders like him. Mr Msika’s passing is indeed a painful loss not only to the Zimbabwean people but to the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the continent.”

Deputy President Motlanthe is expected to return to South Africa later today.

Enquiries: Nomfanelo Kota, 082 459 3787

Department of International Relations & Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

10 August 2009