Mabuza passed away at a Johannesburg hospital in Gauteng province on Friday.

In a statement, the president said further announcements will be made in due course regarding memorial arrangements and the honours with which the country will pay its final respects to its former second-in-command.

Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed the president's sentiments.

“Ramaphosa is saddened today by the loss of a leader who was grounded in activism at the early stages of his political career and who came to lead our nation and shape SA's engagement with our continental compatriots and the international community in his role as Deputy President,” said Magwenya.

“Mabuza deserves our appreciation for his deep commitment to the liberation struggle and to the nation's development as an inclusive, prosperous, democratic state,” he added.

--SABC--