Tributes are pouring for former Agriculture and Energy minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson. She died at her home in Cape Town at the age of 59 on yesterday. Her passing was confirmed by the ANC last night in a statement. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved comrade," the ANC said.

POLITICAL CAREER

Joemat-Pettersson served as Minister of Agriculture in the first cabinet of former president Jacob Zuma. She remained in the post for five years. She was then appointed Minister of Energy. She resigned from Parliament in March 2017, due to a cabinet reshuffle where she was replaced by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. After the 2019 national elections, she became the chairwoman of the portfolio committee on police. 

CONTROVERSY

Three weeks ago, Joemat-Pettersson was named as one of the three ANC MPs who tried to extort a R600,000 bribe from Busisiwe Mkhwebane's husband Mandla Skhosana to make the Section 194 inquiry probing Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office 'go away'. Skosana opened a criminal case at OR Tambo International Airport police station alleging that Joemat-Pettersson; the ANC Chief Whip, Pemmy Majodina and the chairperson of Section 194 Richard Dyantyi were soliciting a bribe from him. Skosana reportedly submitted WhatsApp conversations between him and Joemat-Pettersson supporting his claims. As a minister of energy, Joemat-Pettersson's faced another controversy over the 2015 sale by the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) of 10.3 million barrels of the SA's oil reserves for less than the going market rate. By law, the SFF must hold sufficient oil reserves to last the country up to 21 days, which is an equivalent amount to what was sold. At the time, Joemat-Pettersson told Parliament that it was not a sale, but "a rotation". As ?Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Joemat-Petterson awarded R800 million in assistance to Masibambisane, an NGO founded by former president Jacob Zuma.

TRIBUTES

Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Amos Masondo, said the untimely passing of Joemat-Pettersson was a great loss not only to her family and political party but the nation which she has served in various capacities. "Ms Joemat-Pettersson's passing has left us reeling with shock. She will be remembered as an astute politician who used her skills, talents and knowledge to advance legislative work to change the lives of ordinary South Africans. She exuded great energy, passion, goodwill, and was not afraid to speak her mind. May her soul rest in peace. Parliament extends its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, political home - the African National Congress, and all South Africans on this loss." The minister is survived by her two sons.