The African National Congress notes with deep sadness, the passing on of Dr Vijay Ramlakan. The former Surgeon General of the National Defence Force passed away at the age of 62 on Thursday the 27th of August 2020. Dr Ramlakan is the former personal physician of late President Nelson Mandela.
Dr Ramalkan was a freedom fighter in his own name and right who at the height of repression served as as a member of Umkhonto WeSizwe charged with the responsibility of commanding Operation Butterfly – an underground command structure in the greater Durban area.
Dr Ramlakan belongs to a coterie of distinguished freedom fighters who sacrificed their personal comfort for the liberation of the rest of South Africa’s people. We salute this outstanding activist of our struggle for liberation and deep our revolutionary banner in his honor.
At the time of his passing on Dr Ramlakan was in the National Executive of the Ex Political Prisoners Association (EPPA)
May his family, friends and colleagues find solace in knowing that their loss is the nation’s loss.
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ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
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Pule Mabe
National Spokesperson
071 623 4975
