Just sworn-in Joburg ANC councillor collapses and dies

22 August 2016 - 20:15 By Penwell Dlamini

One of the new Johannesburg councillors who was sworn into office a few hours ago has died. African National Congress (ANC) councillor Nonhlanhla Mthembu collapsed during the proceedings and emergency personnel were called to help.The council took a break to allow her party to deal with the situation but news came later that she had died.According to a statement released by the ANC Gauteng, Mthembu, who recently celebrated her 50th birthday, was a longstanding member of the party and had served as a Johannesburg councillor from 2011.The cause of her death is not yet known. Council observed a moment of silence in honour of the ANC councillor. Afterwards the various political parties offered condolences to the ANC and the councillor's family.The council also agreed to hold the elections for the positions of executive mayor and chief whip of council simultaneously.ANC councillor Geoffrey Makhubo requested council to allow for the voting for the position of the mayor and chief whip of council at the same time to allow its members to deal with the shock death. "We would like to vote in her honour...‚" asked Makhubo.The practice is that the mayor and chief whip positions are voted separately. All parties agreed for the voting for the two positions to be held simultaneously.For the first time Monday’s proceedings‚ there was no singing or clapping as councillors ascended the stage to cast their votes for the two positions.Kevin Wax was nominated by the DA and Solomon Mogase was nominated by the ANC for the position of Chief Whip.- TMG Digital..

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