The Congress of the People (COPE) has announced that the first memorial service for its late leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, will take place on Wednesday at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church.
The historic church, located in Soweto, played a significant role during the struggle against apartheid and has long been associated with major political and community gatherings.
According to COPE, a second memorial service is scheduled to take place on Thursday in Bloemfontein. Lekota will then be laid to rest during a Special Official Funeral Category Two ceremony in the city on Saturday.
COPE’s acting national chairperson, Pakes Dikgetsi, confirmed that the date and venue for the Johannesburg memorial service were changed following consultations with the Lekota family and community representatives.
Dikgetsi explained that the event was initially planned for Tuesday in Pimville, but organisers decided to move it to Wednesday and relocate it to Regina Mundi after discussions with various stakeholders in Soweto.
He said the decision was taken after engaging with broader sections of the community, as well as the Lekota family and COPE leadership, to ensure the memorial service allows more people the opportunity to pay their respects.
Ramaphosa Confirms Deployment of 550 Soldiers to Support Crime-Fighting Efforts in Gauteng
Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that 550 soldiers from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have been deployed to Gauteng to assist police in combating crime, particularly illegal mining activities.
The operation, known as “Prosper”, is aimed at addressing the growing challenge of illicit mining operations in the province. Ramaphosa first revealed the intervention during his address at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month.
In a letter sent on Monday to Thoko Didiza, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, the president confirmed the details of the deployment.
As Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF, Ramaphosa indicated that more than R80 million has been allocated to fund the operation in Gauteng.
The deployment forms part of broader efforts to support law enforcement in tackling crime across several provinces. SANDF personnel have also been deployed in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State.
According to the presidency, the soldiers will remain deployed from 30 January 2026 until 30 April 2026 as part of the government’s ongoing strategy to strengthen security operations and assist the police in stabilising affected areas.
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