Ailing Johannesburg Mayor Geoffrey Makhubo was admitted to hospital Saturday – two weeks after he tested positive for Covid-19.
“The executive mayor will remain in hospital until his medical team is satisfied with his recovery,” said a short statement released late Saturday by his office.
“Joburg residents are urged once more to take all precautions to remain safe and to avoid infection.
“This includes strict adherence to non-medical practices of wearing masks, sanitising regularly, and minimising movement in line with the Level 4 restrictions.”
Makhubo has been isolating at home since he tested positive for Covid-19 on 21 June.
The Johannesburg mayor’s counterpart in Pretoria, Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams has also tested positive for Covid-19.
Chief of staff in the mayor’s office Jordan Griffiths said Williams, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, had been unwell all week.
The mayor had been working remotely and managing all engagements with stakeholders online.
South Africa is in the throes of the third wave driven by the more deadly Delta variant.
Latest daily figures recorded were 24 270 new confirmed Covid-19 cases and 303 deaths.
The virus this week claimed the lives of renowned musician Steve Kekana who passed away on Thursday at the age of 63 and boxing legend Lehlohonolo Ledwaba.
Ledwaba, better known to his legions of fans as “Hands of Stone”, died on Friday three weeks before his 50th birthday.
A day before, 46-year-old actor Mutodi Neshehe died from the virus.
He was best known for his role as Ndalamo Mukwevho on SABC2’s Muvhango and as Zola on SABC1’s Generations – The Legacy.
