Fearless Struggle veteran Turok saluted
TRIBUTES have poured in following the death yesterday of Struggle veteran and freedom fighter Ben Turok. He was 92.
Family spokesperson Laura Turok said in a media statement that he had always been outspoken and had dedicated his life to fighting for freedom, equality and social justice in South Africa.
“He was a loyal, lifetime member of the ANC, but retained an independent perspective throughout,” she said.
That independent perspective was evident in his criticism of former president Jacob Zuma over his numerous scandals while Turok was still an ANC MP. He retired from Parliament after the 2014 general elections, having been an MP from 1995.
In Parliament he had been co-chair of the joint committee on ethics and members’ Interests.
In a statement, the ANC said Turok was “a trade union organiser, a fighter against the injustices of apartheid and an enduring voice for equality”.
“Comrade Ben Turok dedicated his life to the Struggle against racism and oppression. As a leader of the SACP and the Congress of Democrats, Comrade Turok played an invaluable role during the Defiance Campaign and as full-time organiser of the people’s parliament – the Congress of the People, which adopted the Freedom Charter, in June 1955,” said ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.
ANC MP Hishaam Mohamed, speaking on behalf of the party’s
Southern Suburbs parliamentary constituency office, said Turok was a revolutionary who helped to draft the Freedom Charter.
“We will remember comrade Ben as fearless who always spoke his mind on important ANC policy matters over more than five decades. He was an active member of the ANC in the Southern Suburbs zone. Hamba kahle comrade Ben,” said Mohamed.
The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution also paid tribute to Turok, saying: “He maintained his disciplined focus on promoting the interests of the poor and marginalised throughout his tenure as an MP.
“He defied his party whip to abstain on the Protection of Information Bill (the Secrecy Bill) in 2011 – his position is perhaps vindicated by the fact that this odious piece of legislation has yet to be signed into law. He epitomised the notion of principled loyalty and bemoaned those who were unthinking followers”.
In a statement, the IFP called Turok an “inspirational and true example of integrity and candidness”.
The Turok family have asked for his death to marked by a private ceremony. |