Former SABC political reporter, Cliff Saunders, dies at 79.

The famous former South African SABC TV news reporter and editor, Cliff Saunders, has died. He was 79.

According to his daughter Yolande who spoke to Netwerk24, Cliff Saunders died from heart failure.

Chiff Saunders worked for the South African Broadcasting Corporation as a political correspondent, including a stint in Londen as the SABC's first foreign correspondent.

He worked for the SABC for 33 years until he retired in 1994 as South African television's top political correspondent during the country's apartheid era.

Cliff Saunders died in his townhouse in a Northcliff complex in Johannesburg. His health has been deteriorating for the past 3 years.

His veteran cameraman son, Dudley Saunders died in December 2013 when he was hit by a train in Soweto while filming.

Cliff Saunders was married for 57 years to his wife Ria who he leaves behind along with children Yolande, Albert, and Ilette, as well as 6 grandchildren.

A funeral and memorial service is planned for Friday morning in the Presbyterian church in Randburg.