17 March 2018

Members of the human rights and Palestine solidarity organization, BDS South Africa, are truly shaken by the disturbing death of Comrade Elese Depoutch.

Comrade Depoutch was the Provincial Executive Committee member of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape responsible for international relations. He took this task seriously and ultimately worked tirelessly on international solidarity campaigns.

In particular we recall his role in ensuring that the recent ANC 54th National Conference adopted the watershed resolution for the “the immediate and unconditional downgrade of the SA embassy in Israel to a liaison office”.

He was an incredible activist who managed to fight both local struggles for better basic services for our people as well as champion international solidarity for the oppressed peoples of world including the Palestinian struggle against Israeli Apartheid.

We were greatly inspired by his fearless and selfless internationalism, he will be missed greatly.

As we close this year’s IsraeliAparthiedWeek his passing casts a shadow over us and we will always remember him during our solidarity work.

We call upon the police to investigate thoroughly the circumstances around his death, but also send our deepest and most sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and his comrades in the Western Cape. Comrade Depoutch will be laid to rest this weekend in his home town in the Eastern Cape.

Hamba Kahle cde Depoutch.

ISSUED BY KWARA KEKANA ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA