Eddie Trent

Edward William Trent (1940 – 31 December 2020) was a South African politician. A member of the Progressive Federal Party, he served in the Cape Provincial Council until 1989 when he was elected to the House of Assembly as a member of the Democratic Party. From 1994 to 2004, Trent served in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. He was the first provincial leader of the Democratic Alliance between 2000 and 2002. Trent served in the National Assembly from 2004 until his retirement in 2009. Political career A member of the Progressive Federal Party, Trent represented the Port Elizabeth Central Constituency in the previous Cape Provincial Council alongside Molly Blackburn. Trent later joined the Democratic Party and was elected as Member of Parliament for Port Elizabeth Central in 1989, succeeding retiring party chief whip John Malcomess.

After serving one term in Parliament, Trent was elected as the sole DP representative in the newly established Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature in 1994. After serving one term as provincial leader, Athol Trollip succeeded him.

Trent was elected to the National Assembly in the 2004 general election. He represented the DA on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. In March 2008, Trent submitted questions to South African President Thabo Mbeki on his alleged involvement in the arms deal. He alleged in August 2008 that the government had something to hide on the arms deal after Justice Director-General, Adv. Menzi Simelane refused to give the DA access to the German and British Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) agreements with South Africa.

Trent did not seek re-election to the National Assembly in 2009 and retired from politics. They would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in April 2019.

Trent died from natural causes at his home in Port Elizabeth on 31 December 2020. He was 80 years old.