Tributes for Joel Joffe

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has paid tribute to the acclaimed human rights activist, Lord Joel Joffe.

Joffe passed away on Sunday in London.

He was one of the defence lawyers who represented the late former President Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Andrew Mlangeni and Elias Motsoaledi during the famous Rivonia Trial in 1963.

Joffe left the country soon after the trial and settled in England, where he founded an insurance firm and later became a parliamentarian.

On Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma extended his condolences to Joffe’s family.

“We have learned with sadness the passing of one of our most respected legal minds, Lord Joel Joffe, who played a critical role during the liberation struggle for our freedom and democracy where represented political prisoners including the late father of our nation, President Nelson Mandela and other liberation icons,” said President Zuma.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation also expressed sadness at his passing and hailed his contribution to the trail and the liberation struggle. – SAnews.gov.za