Family, friends and comrades pay tribute to late former MEC Butana Komphela

The funeral of former Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport Butana Komphela took place in his hometown, Kroonstaad, where he was laid to rest.

Family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the late Komphela who passed away on Monday at Bloemfontein hospital, where he had been admitted for almost a month.

On Monday evening, his family shared a brief statement confirming the former MEC’s death.

In a statement, the family said Komphela died after a long illness and a recent abrupt battle with Covid-19 which was complicated by his underlying lung conditions.

Komphela was described as a versatile leader who showed a spark at a difficult time for the African National Congress.

Free State African National Congress (ANC) Interim Provincial Committee spokesperson Oupa Khoabane said when Komphela was reshuffled, he showed humility and demonstrated the party’s principle of discipline, and he didn’t question his snub, that showed a ‘principled cadre’, labelled Khoabane.

“He played for the ANC in Kroonstad after the unbanning of the political parties.

“This led to him being elected as a Mayor of Kroonstad as part of the Transitional Local Government,” Khoabane praised Komphela’s outstanding leadership.

Free State premier Sisi Ntombela shared moments she had with Komphela: “Komphela has left an indelible mark and his name and memory shall forever be etched in our hearts.

We have lost an incredibly good man and we are going to miss him dearly,” said Ntombela.

A number of cabinet ministers were among the dignitaries who attended the funeral service, these includes of: Lindiwe Sisulu, Fikile Mbalula, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Dr Joe Phaahla.

Komphela was formerly health MEC in the Free State and also served as National Assembly sports committee chair.