The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the life of a second victim at Parliament, Mcedisi Gwanya,who was the bodyguard of the Pan Africanist Congress leader Mzwanele Nyhontso.

The other victim was Amos Komeni the project administrator in the office of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lechesa Tsenoli.

In a statement, presiding officers Thandi Modise and Amos Masondo said that Amos Komeni, a 60-year-old, succumbed to the disease on Thursday.

“We are shocked and saddened by this. We all hoped he would conquer this and be discharged from the hospital. This sudden turn of events has all of us gutted,” read the statement.

Tsenoli said Komeni had served his office with utmost dedication and diligence.

Tsenoli was quoted as saying: “This invisible enemy has robbed us of a humble gentle giant, a dignified professional who was a role model for the presiding officers’ many younger employees. He was a gentleman who always went beyond the call of duty.”

South Africa has a total of 6 336 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with seven new deaths and 2 549 recoveries.

Gauteng reported 12 deaths and 948 recoveries; KwaZulu-Natal had 34 deaths and 375 recoveries; Limpopo had two deaths and 25 recoveries. Mpumalanga had no deaths and 18 recoveries; North West had no deaths and 20 recoveries, while the Northern Cape also had no deaths and 13 recoveries.

Men accounted for 71 (58%) of the deaths and females accounted for 52 (42%) of the deaths.