By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Supplied.
The mayor of KwaZulu-Natal’s Ugu District Municipality Phumlile Mthiyane has died.
Mthiyane’s death came two days after the KwaZulu-Natal south coast municipality’s municipal manager Dr Elliot Ntombela died in hospital on Saturday.
Municipal spokesperson France Zama, said in a statement on Monday: “It is with deep shock and sorrow that the municipality announces the untimely passing of the mayor.”
Zama said Mthiyane passed away in the early hours of Monday morning.
“A dark cloud seems to have fallen upon our municipality during this period and we request your thoughts and prayers to be with the family at this time of loss,” he said.
He said the details regarding the burial would be issued once they become available.
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Sihle Zikalala, said “Mthiyane’s passing has left us devastated and in disbelief. “
“We lost a gentle giant in the sphere of local government who took on the task of stabilising the supply of water for communities within the district, and within a very short period of time following her appointment as mayor, we saw progress on key projects meant to improve water supply.
“This bears testimony to her ability to bring people together in the pursuit of a common goal,” said Zikalala.
Zikalala went on to convey his condolences to the Mthiyane family and all the staff of the Ugu District and the family of municipalities under it.