UDF and ANC stalwart Chikane dies

In a short statement early yesterday, ANC stalwart Moses “Moss” Chikane’s family confirmed that he had passed away overnight at the age of 69.

A family spokesperson said Moss died on Wednesday at about 11.30pm.

He had not been well for some time and spent time in and out of hospital.

He played a key role in the liberation struggle and was one of the leaders of the United Democratic Front (UDF) during the years the ANC was banned.

Chikane was national coordinator of the former National Coordinating Committee for the Return of Exiles in the 1990s.

A cousin of Reverend Frank Chikane, Moss inadvertently exposed the Travelgate scandal as an ANC MP when he bumped into a “Mrs Chikane” who was wait-listed on a flight and he asked her if they were related.

The woman reportedly burst into tears and it was later discovered that she wasn’t who she claimed to be. It was then decided to change the travel system after widespread fraud was discovered among government officials.

Chikane later had a career as a diplomat for the ANC-led government. In 2005, he was appointed as ambassador to Germany.

Five years later, he was reposted to Zambia.

Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota, former North West premier Popo Molefe and Chikane, who were at the time collectively known as the “Big Three” in the media, were arrested and charged with treason in the late 1980s.

The trio were tried in the town of Delmas, then Eastern Transvaal (now Mpumalanga).

Lekota, Molefe, Chikane and Tom Manthatha were found guilty of treason on November 18, 1988, according to SA History Online.

“Bra Moss” Chikane is survived by five sons and a daughter, three brothers and four sisters. The family is expected to announce the funeral arrangements in due course.

Chikane later had a career as a diplomat for the ANC-led government. In 2005, he was appointed as ambassador to Germany. Five years later, he was reposted to Zambia.