The Democratic Alliance on Friday said it “has received with sadness the news of the sudden passing of Dene Smuts”. Smuts “served in Parliament for 20 years‚ from 1989 to 2009” and “prior to her political career‚ she was a journalist‚ editor and award-winning author”‚ the party noted.It said she was the first female member of Parliament to serve as a whip.“During the constitutional negotiations of the early 1990s‚ Dene served on the then Democratic Party’s negotiating team‚ and contributed significantly to the writing of the Bill of Rights and in defining a proper process for judicial appointments‚” a statement said.“She established herself as being unwaveringly committed to the founding principles of the Constitution‚ and always fought for them in Parliament.”She served the DA as its shadow minister for home affairs‚ communications‚ and justice and constitutional development.“She would never accept laziness or fuzzy thinking from colleagues‚ and did not hesitate to scold them if necessary‚” the DA said.“She was a fearsome debater in caucus and in the House‚ and many a government Minister withered under her trenchant questioning.“Dene Smuts will be remembered as a truly great parliamentarian‚ who stood unswervingly for a cause far bigger than her own personal advancement - an enduring set of principles and beliefs. Her service to a democratic South Africa has been profound‚ and we mourn her loss. We convey our deepest condolences to her family.”..