28 January 2022
It is with a sense of profound sadness and shock that the office of the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Hon. Thabang Makwetla has learned of the passing away of Brigadier General (Ret.) Velaphi Msane – popularly known among his comrades within the ranks of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) as Commander Faku. Brigadier General (Ret.) Velaphi Msane passed away on the 26th of January 2022.
Comrade Faku was tall, with an unassuming and friendly attitude. He was respectful and had cultivated and conducted himself in a gentle demeanour towards his colleagues and comrades. He was what people would generally refer to as a “gentle giant.”
His handshake was firm, but he seemed to be conscious of the strength in the muscular arms and hands such that he made sure his handshake did not hurt those who were not of equal strength as himself.
And yet, behind that outward demeanour of gentleness and friendliness, was a man with nerves of steel. A fearless and courageous fighter for freedom whose hatred of oppression and those who were responsible for the hardship and suffering of his people knew no bounds.
His heroic exploits in the fight against the system of apartheid earned him the respect and trust of his comrades; in recognition of his bravery and contribution to the cause of freedom, he was bestowed with The Order of Luthuli in Silver on the 25 April 2019.
The Order of Luthuli recognises South African citizens who have contributed to the struggle for democracy, nation-building, building democracy and human rights, justice and peace as well as for the resolution of conflict.
He joined MK special operations unit that was established in the early 1980s to carry out attacks on South Africa’s strategic installations. After completing his military training, he returned to South Africa in April 1980.
He infiltrated South Africa on various occasions on reconnaissance missions in preparation for operations under the command of the late Barney Molokoana who died in combat with members of the apartheid South African Defence Force. Brigadier General (Ret.) Velaphi Msane was the deputy commander of MK’s Special Operations Unit.
One of the first attacks by the Special Operations Unit was on SASOL I, NATREF and SASOL II which took place on the night of 31 May/1 June 1980.
This attack was planned to coincide with Republic Day.
“On the night of the attack, the teams gained access to the refineries by cutting through the perimeter fence. Special limpet mines with thermite were then placed on fuel tanks and the teams withdrew undetected. The limpet mines exploded and eight fuel tanks in all were destroyed causing damage estimated at R66 million.”
SASOL plant under attack | South African History Online (Accessed 27 -01 -2022)
Brigadier General (Ret.) Velaphi Msane told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission during his application for amnesty that he “was involved in the unit which launched a mortar attack on the Slurry SADF (SA Defence Force, now the SANDF) base near Ramatlabama. Twenty-eight mortar shells were fired at the base and land mines were placed in between the base and the firing point,"
The fight for freedom in South Africa is full of heroic exploits by combatants of Umkhonto we Sizwe such as Commander Faku whose story has not yet been told. It is indeed an indictment that Brigadier General (Ret.) Velaphi Msane (Commander Faku) together with other countless combatants of Umkhonto we Sizwe are passing on without their contribution being properly celebrated.
In observance of our constitutional injunction, the people of South Africa lower their revolutionary banner in recognition of those who sacrificed for the freedom that we enjoy today.
In view of the above, the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans and the SANDF decided to accord the late Brigadier General (Ret.) Velaphi Msane a semi-military funeral with all the attendant military protocols.
In addition, following discussions between the family and the Funeral Preparatory Committee, find below the memorial and funeral details of the late Brigadier General (Ret.) Velaphi Msane.
To the family, friends and colleagues of Commander Faku and indeed to our country as a whole, Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla would like to offer his sincere condolences and reassure them at our commitment to the ideals he lived and fought for.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE
Mr Thami Ntenteni
Advisor – Deputy Minister of Defence and Military
066 391 1181
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