ANC STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF COMRADE VICTOR MOCHE

The African National Congress (ANC) is deeply saddened by the death over the weekend of comrade Victor Moche - a stalwart of the movement who served the ANC with distinction.  Comrade Moche served the ANC in various capacities which included being ANC chief representative to Tunisia and Canada, editor of Sechaba, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) combatant and intelligence operative. He also made tremendous strides in business, having served as Telkom executive and later Denel chief executive.

Born in 1947, Comrade Moche, who is survived by his wife Nthabiseng and three children, was educated at the universities of Leipzig and Potsdam,  At the time of his death, Moche was chairman of the Gauteng Economic Development Agency (Geda) board.

The ANC has lost a committed, patriotic, quiet and confident cadre who never failed in whatever area he was deployed to. ANC NEC veteran Zola Skweyiya said of Victor Moche: "He was highly liked and his contribution appreciated by all in the movement. After liberation, he would have liked to be deployed to any South African mission abroad but the ANC found it hard to part with him."

While in exile in Lusaka, Moche sourced and edited stories from his comrades in London to ensure that Sechaba - then an official ANC organ - was published. Skweyiya, who worked closely with Moche, said the type of training and culture within the ANC "produced cadres who made contribution without demanding any positions".

Added Skweyiya: "While in exile with Comrade Moche, we were mindful of the suffering of our people in South Africa, some of who were either in jail or killed by apartheid. Victor was not just a good and disciplined cadre of the ANC, but was also a good father who ensured the best for his children. The best we can do is to look after his family."

Comrade Moche died in China where he had gone to get better medical treatment for cancer. The ANC will remember this gallant fighter for freedom and democracy in South Africa.

May his soul rest in peace.

Statement issued by the African National Congress, August 3 2009