The members of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) have in a statement expressed condolences following the passing of South Africa’s Veteran Minister Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan in the early hours of Friday, September 13 after “a short, courageous battle with cancer.”

In a statement released early Friday morning, the Gordhan family confirmed that the 75-year-old former minister passed away “peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loved ones.”

“The SACC honours the contributions made by former minister Gordhan to nation-building and steadfastly standing true to the principles that would keep our country functioning justly and with integrity,” reads the statement signed by SACC Acting General Secretary Reverend Mzwandile Molo.

In the September 13 statement, the SACC members laud the former Minister Gordhan for his “fight against corruption” and thank the Gordhan family “for all the sacrifices” they made as a “family, in supporting the former minster’s calling to pursue a career in public service.”

The South African Veteran and former Minister is survived by his wife Vanitha, and his two daughters Anisha and Priyesha.