The last existing member of the Kwaito group Chiskop has passed away. General GTZ, as he was fondly known by his fans, passed away after a long battle with stomach cancer. Real name Siphiwe Sibisi, GTZ started battling some health complications after a botched operation in 2022.

FAMILY CONFIRMS

General GTZ was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and during an operation, he said in 2022 that he learnt later that the doctors had allegedly cut the wrong tubes in his gut area, and that is when his health complications started. To add salt to the wound, he was struggling to make ends meet and pay for his medical bills. His family confirmed the passing in a statement. "The family of Siphiwe "General GTZ" Sibisi announces with deep sadness our great loss suffered through the passing of our dear one, after hospitalisation where he underwent major surgery," the family said in a statement. According to the statement, GTZ showed signs of recovery but took a turn for the worse over the past few days and passed away today. "We wish to thank all those who loved and supported him during all his years as a prominent and pioneering music entertainer of our beloved South African people. May his beautiful, kind spirit live on through the legacy of his Kwaito," the statement read. His death happens just weeks after Kwaito legend Mapaputi's passing.

A LEGEND

General GTZ was in the group Chiskop with the late Mduduzi "Mandoza' Tshabalala, Sizwe "Lollipop' Motaung, and Sibusiso "Bless' Thanjakwayo. The group shot to fame in the nineties with hit songs like Klaimer, Abasazi, and Abantwana. Chiskop signed its first record deal eight years after their formation. Although they achieved great success and were widely seen to be at Kwaito's forefront, the late Mandoza left the group to pursue a solo career. SB Bless and Lolipop passed away in 2003, shortly before their last album, and Mandoza passed away in 2016.

*This article has been updated with the family statement.