Controversial Mpumalanga politician James Nkambule has died, the Congress of the People confirmed on Friday.
“I confirm that I have received a message, that he has died,” said Cope head of communications Philip Dexter.
Nkambule, a former ANC Youth League member, famously once alleged that there was a plot to oust former president Thabo Mbeki.
At the time it was alleged that Mpumalanga premier and current ANC treasurer Mathews Phosa, current Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and former ANC secretary-general Cyril Ramaphosa were behind the plot.
The supposed plot was later dismissed by a police and intelligence services investigation.
At the time of his death Nkambule was facing charges of defeating the ends of justice, conspiracy to commit a crime, incitement and fraud.
He was out on R8000 bail and the case was in connection with the alleged existence of a hit list containing the names of a number of people in Mpumalanga.
The cause of death was not immediately known. Captain Leonard Hlathi said police did not suspect anything untoward at the moment but a post mortem would be conducted. - Sapa