ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba paid tribute to State capture whistleblower Vytjie Mentor on Tuesday, following news of her death.

Mentor died following an illness which saw her hospitalised for several months.

Mashaba extended his condolences to Mentor’s family and added that she was a true patriot who served her country even in the face of criticism, being the first to sound the alarm on what has become known as State capture.

Mentor was a member of ActionSA at the time of her death. She joined the party in 2020.

Mentor left the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in 2019 owing to the corruption scandals involving the infamous Gupta family, which has since fled the country.

Mentor also served as a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2014.

Mentor testified at the State Capture Commission, led by Justice Raymond Zondo, where she revealed that she was offered a Ministerial position by the Guptas.

“We will keep the family and friends of Vytjie in our thoughts and prayers and ask that her loved ones be given the privacy to grieve during this time,” said Mashaba.