ANC KZN spokesperson Ricardo Mthembu dies reportedly from complications linked to Covid-19.
Former KwaDukuza mayor and ANC KwaZulu-Natal leader Ricardo Mthembu died on Wednesday.
ANC insiders told TimesLive that Mthembu was admitted to hospital and was in an intensive care unit for a few days.
The party is expected to release a statement later on Wednesday.
Following the May 8 elections, Mthembu left his role as mayor of KwaDukuza Municipality, a position he had occupied for eight years, and was deployed to serve as a member of the provincial legislature. This despite many thinking he would get an MEC position.
He was a member of the provincial executive council of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal and was later appointed party spokesperson for the province.
The news comes at a time when ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile has gone into self-quarantine after a member of staff in his office tested positive for Covid-19.
Other prominent individuals have succumbed to the COVID-19 virus.
North West cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs MEC Gordon Kegakilwe has died of a Covid-19 related illness.
Eastern Cape social development department spokesperson Gcobani Maswana also died from covid-19 complications. Maswana was admitted to a Port Elizabeth hospital after complaining of having difficulty breathing.
In June there were reports that at least 10 parliament staff members had contracted Covid-19 since the coronavirus hit South African shores in March. In May parliament announced the passing of one of its officials, Amos Komeni, a 60-year-old who succumbed to the virus.
As of 07 July 2020, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 215 855 with 10 144 new cases identified. The country recorded 192 more COVID-19 related deaths: 15 from Limpopo, 22 from Kwazulu Natal, 36 from the Eastern Cape, 44 from the Western Cape and 75 from Gauteng. This brings the total national deaths to 3 502.
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