South Africa's struggle veteran Aziz Pahad dies aged 82

South African anti-apartheid struggle veteran Aziz Pahad has died aged 82, his family announced.

He passed away at his home in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening, a statement said.

The family described him as a patriot and freedom fighter who dedicated his life to the governing ANC party and serving South Africans.

Mr Pahad joined the struggle against apartheid rule from a very young age.

In 1964 he went into exile in the UK where he went on to co-ordinate the international call to free imprisoned ANC leader Nelson Mandela.

Mr Pahad returned to South Africa in 1990 after the white-minority government, led by FW de Klerk, freed Mr Mandela.

After the democratic election in 1994, Mr Pahad served as deputy foreign affairs minister for 14 years, first under Mr Mandela and then under President Thabo Mbeki.

In 2014, former President Jacob Zuma appointed him as his envoy on the crisis in the Middle East.

Mr Pahad documented his political life in his memoir Insurgent Diplomat.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said: "We will always cherish the sacrifices and contributions he made towards freedom in our motherland."