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Former South Africa leader dies Former South Africa leader dies
(about 2 hours later)
Former South African President PW Botha has died at his home in the Western Cape on Tuesday at the age of 90, South Africa's SAPA news agency says. Former South African President PW Botha has died at his home in the Western Cape at the age of 90 after 17 years in retirement.
He died peacefully, said a member of his security staff, Frikkie Lucas.He died peacefully, said a member of his security staff, Frikkie Lucas.
Nicknamed the "Groot Krokodil" - Afrikaans for the "Great Crocodile" - Botha led white minority rule of the nation between 1978 and 1989. Botha, known by Afrikaaners as the Great Crocodile, led white minority rule between 1978 and 1989 - during the height of the anti-apartheid struggle.
He was succeeded by South Africa's last white President, FW de Klerk, who led the country to multi-racial elections.He was succeeded by South Africa's last white President, FW de Klerk, who led the country to multi-racial elections.
During his rule, Botha defied international criticism and refused to release Nelson Mandela, the country's most famous political prisoner during the apartheid era. The former president was regarded as a relic and someone stuck in a bit of a time warp, says the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg.
He had recently been admitted to hospital for a routine check-up and was then discharged.
'No regrets'
During his rule, Botha defied international criticism and refused to release Nelson Mandela, the country's most famous political prisoner.
Botha was later summoned to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a panel set up by then President Mandela's government to probe abuses.Botha was later summoned to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a panel set up by then President Mandela's government to probe abuses.
In 1998 the panel concluded that Botha was guilty of gross human rights violations.In 1998 the panel concluded that Botha was guilty of gross human rights violations.
However, he continued to lead a quiet life with his second wife Barbara in a seaside resort on the Western Cape coast for almost two decades. Thousands were detained without trial during his presidency, while others were tortured and killed. However, he refused to apologise for apartheid.
Botha led the country through its worst racial violence at the height of the anti-apartheid struggle. Although some cosmetic reforms were introduced in 1983, allowing Indians and Coloureds into parliament, Botha made no headway in terms of advancing political freedom.
He failed to satisfy those on either side of the country's racial divide - or international opinion - and eventually resigned after a power struggle within his cabinet.
He led a quiet life with his second wife Barbara in a seaside resort in on the Western Cape coast for almost two decades.
In a interview to mark his 90th birthday he suggested that he had no regrets about the way he ran the country.
Mr Botha will be given a state funeral - the first for more than 20 years.