Murungwa Makwalela.
Former Tshwane mayor and chair Mlungwa Makwalela passed away on Tuesday morning, Metro's current chair Mnedi Nswanana confirmed. He was 52 years old.
Nzwanana paid tribute to Makwalela in a video message, saying his death was a loss to the city.
“He lost his life this morning. This is a sad day for the city and a sad day for the office of the Speaker because the Speaker is my predecessor. I took over from him and picked up where he left off. I will continue from there,” Nswanana said.
“My condolences to the family and the people of Tshwane. God gave and God took away.”
Initiatives by email and guardian Efforts to contact Makwalela's family were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Tshwane Mayor Syria Brink said she was saddened by the death of Makwarela, who served her during a tumultuous period in the city's politics last year.
“Before he was elected mayor, he served as chairman. No matter what differences we had and no matter what disputes there were during his tenure, I am saddened by his passing. I pray that God comforts and brings peace to his family,” Brink said.
Mr Makwarela was facing fraud charges in Pretoria's Special Commercial Crimes Court for allegedly submitting a false insolvency certificate to the City of Tshwane allowing him to remain mayor.
Shortly after being elected mayor, it was discovered that he was bankrupt and ineligible to serve as a councillor.
He was deregistered by the South African Electoral Commission but later reinstated after submitting a certificate of rehabilitation. However, an investigation into the authenticity of the certificate revealed that it was fraudulent, and Makwalela resigned.
