Magnus Malan dies

Johannesburg - Apartheid defence minister Magnus Malan died on Monday morning, his family said.

"General Magnus Malan died peacefully early this morning at home. He leaves his wife of 49-years behind as well as 3 children and 9 grandchildren," his family said.

It was not clear how he died.

Malan was chief of the SA Defence Force in 1976, and was Minister of Defence from 1980 until 1991.