South African Government Minister Jackson Mthembu dies at Covid

South African Government Minister Jackson Mthembu dies at Covid

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Mthembu was one of the key leaders of the government in his response to the pandemic and the public face during numerous press conferences on Covid-19.

“It is with deep sadness and shock that we announce that the President of the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, passed away earlier today from COVID-related complications. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of loss,” President Ramaphosa tweeted .

“Minister Mthembu was an exemplary leader, an activist and lifelong campaigner for freedom and democracy. He was a much loved and highly respected colleague and comrade, whose passing leaves our country with a loss,” Ramaphosa added.

On January 11, Mthembu tweeted that he had contracted Covid-19.

“I visited the military hospital in Tshwane today to get medical help for abdominal pain. After undergoing some tests, I tested positive for Covid-19,” he said.

Mthembu thanks the South Africans who wish him a speedy recovery and says the country must overcome Covid-19.

John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance, which is the opposition party in South Africa, said he was “crushed” to learn about the departure of the minister.

“It was such an honor to serve with this true South African patriot. Condolences to his family and friends and the colleagues in his party,” he said. said in a tweet.

South Africa’s health department reported 1 369 426 deaths in Covid-19 and 38 854 as of Wednesday.

Ramaphosa expanded coronavirus restrictions in the country on January 11, citing a “massive increase” in Covid-19 cases, driven by a variant discovered there last year.
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In addition to extending the existing measures, Ramaphosa has announced that 20 land borders will be closed until 15 February.

Mthembu was an anti-apartheid activist who first became involved in politics in the 1970s.
He was harassed and intimidated by the apartheid police and charged with sabotage, treason and terrorism during the Bethal terror trial, but acquitted according to the website of the South African presidency.
Under President Nelson Mandela, he was the ANC party spokesperson from 1995-1997 and again from 2009-2014.

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