Ex-president PW Botha dies

2006-10-31 22:18

Johannesburg - It was confirmed on Tuesday night that former State President PW Botha died.

Botha passed away just after 20:00 on Tuesday night at his home Die Anker near Wilderness in the Western Cape, a member of his security staff said.

Captain Frikkie Lucas said: "Botha died at home, peacefully."

Botha was discharged from the George Medi-Clinic two weeks ago, after going in for a "routine check-up", said the hospital.

Botha, 90, was head of the government, first as prime minister then as state president, from 1978 to 1989, earning the nickname "the big crocodile". He lived at his Wilderness home, Die Anker, with his second wife Barbara.

- SAPA