JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's ambassador to Algeria, Billy Masetlha has died after a long illness.
Masetlha has a long career in government having served as Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, among others.
He was a member of Umkhonto We Sizwe and was deeply involved in the anti-apartheid movement.
READ: Former cabinet minister and ambassador Geoff Doidge dies
Masetlha was exiled in Botswana and Zambia.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor has sent her condolences to the Masetlha family.
Pandor says South Africa has lost a dependable representative and a firm believer in the ideals and goals of pan-Africanism.