Former vice-president of Botswana Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe passed away Wednesday morning, according to a statement released by the Permanent Secretary to President Ian Khama

The statement by Eric Molale didn’t mention the cause Merafhe’s death.

Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe: dies

Marafhe died a day after he announced his retirement from office, due to ill-health.

Merafhe informed President Ian Khama on Tuesday his intention to retire on 31 July, and Khama accepted Merafhe’s request to retire.

According to Molale, the 76-year-old vice president had previously indicated his intention to retire last year,

“This retirement comes after His Honour has served this country in various capacities for an aggregate period of more than fifty years,” said Molale.

Merafhe was hit by an illness which has not been revealed to public up to date early in 2011. He was transported to a hospital in South Africa on Jan. 29 after being admitted to a local hospital in Gaborone for tests on Jan. 25.

He was given a long leave after he was later released from the hospital.

Merafhe, the sixth vice president of Botswana, was appointed to the position in April, 2008.

Source: Xinhua