Pretoria – Former Defence Minister and leader of the Congress of the People (COPE), Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick “Terror” Lekota, has been honoured with a Special Official Funeral.
The struggle activist, inaugural Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Premier of the Free State, and co-founder of COPE, passed away on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, at the age of 77.
RELATED: Ailing COPE Leader ‘Terror’ Lekota Passes Away At 77 – The Bulrushes
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that Lekota will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
“President Ramaphosa reiterates his deep condolences to the Lekota family, the Congress of the People, and Mr. Lekota’s comrades and associates across the political spectrum,” his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said.
President Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Lekota as “a patriot, freedom fighter, and servant of the people whose life story is closely intertwined with our journey of struggle and the realisation of democracy.”
RELATED: President Ramaphosa Mourns Passing Of Founding COPE Leader Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota – The Bulrushes
The President said: “We honour him especially for his principled dedication to non-racialism during our struggle and in a liberated South Africa.
“We deeply value his service to his home province, where he served as Premier, and to our Armed Forces and our national security, in his role as Minister of Defence.”
Magwenya said, reflecting the nation’s appreciation, President Ramaphosa has declared that Lekota will be accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 2, which will take place in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
The funeral will feature ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service.
“President Ramaphosa has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations from tomorrow morning, Saturday, 7 March 2026, until the evening of the funeral on 14 March 2026,” Magwenya said.
