- Legacy of Comrade Ronnie Matshaya: The ANC in the O.R. Tambo Region deeply mourns the death of Comrade Ronnie Matshaya, a distinguished freedom fighter and former MK commander who dedicated his life to the struggle against apartheid.
- Early Life and Military Training: Matshaya joined the ANC in exile in Lesotho during the 1980s, trained in Angola as a firearms instructor, and received advanced Special Warfare training in Yugoslavia, preparing for combat operations.
- Role in the Armed Struggle and Imprisonment: As Deputy Commander of the Zola Dubeni Icing Unit, Matshaya participated in operations against apartheid forces, was captured in 1987, tortured, and imprisoned before being released in 1989 after the unbanning of liberation movements.
The African National Congress (ANC) in the O.R. Tambo Region has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Comrade Ronnie Matshaya, a respected freedom fighter and former Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) commander. Matshaya, also known as Mfanelo Dan “Ronald Ronnie Dlamini” Matshaya, passed away on 18 August 2025.
He joined the ANC in exile in Lesotho during the early 1980s and trained in Angola as part of the Madinoga Detachment. By 1983, he was a firearms instructor and later received advanced training in Special Warfare in Yugoslavia. Returning to Angola, he served as a Military Tactics Instructor, Base Commander at Caculama, and Commander of the Reconnaissance Unit.
In 1986, he became Deputy Commander of the Zola Dubeni Icing Unit, which targeted apartheid askaris. Captured in 1987 in Bophuthatswana, he endured torture and imprisonment before being sentenced to ten years, three of which were suspended. He was released in 1989 after the unbanning of liberation leaders, following an indemnity granted by Maj Gen Bantu Holomisa.
After his release, Matshaya reported to Lusaka for debriefing and was redeployed as Deputy Commander in the Transkei Region, where he trained MK operatives. He was later granted amnesty by the TRC for various operations and served as a bodyguard to leaders including Chris Hani, Oliver Tambo, and Nelson Mandela.
Though he prepared for SANDF integration, he never formally joined but became the first MKMVA Regional Chairperson in Transkei. The ANC O.R. Tambo Region hailed him as a revolutionary who sacrificed his youth and life for freedom.
