Ailing Johannesburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo has died in hospital from Covid-19 related complications.
The 53-year-old mayor was admitted to hospital at the weekend – two weeks after he tested positive for Covid-19.
South Africa is in the throes of the third wave, driven by the more deadly Delta variant.
In the latest daily count, South Africa recorded 22 910 new Covid-19 cases and 460 fatalities.
Before his hospitalisation on Saturday, Makhubo had been isolating at home. He tested positive for Covid-19 on 21 June.
A short statement released by the mayor’s office had suggested he would get better.
“The executive mayor will remain in hospital until his medical team is satisfied with his recovery,” said the weekend statement.
Makhubo had been expected to recover, but unfortunately he succumbed to Covid-19 complications Friday morning.
Commenting on the mayor’s passing, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “Since he received his diagnosis in June this year, Mayor Makhubo regularly posted public health messages urging people to take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
“Losing Cllr. Makhubo at such a difficult time for the City of Johannesburg and the country is a blow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and with his colleagues at this difficult time.”
