South African government minister Jackson Mthembu dies of Covid dies

South African government minister Jackson Mthembu dies of Covid dies

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Mthembu was one of the government’s main leaders in its response to the pandemic and on the public face during many Covid-19 press conferences.

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

“Minister Mthembu was an exemplary leader, an activist and defender of freedom and democracy throughout his life. He was a beloved and respected colleague and comrade, whose death leaves our nation lost,” added Ramaphosa.

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

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

Mthembu then thanked the South Africans who wished him a speedy recovery and said 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 “devastated” to learn of the minister’s death.

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

On Wednesday, the South African Department of Health reported 1,369,426 cases of Covid-19 and 38,854 deaths.

Ramaphosa extended restrictions on coronavirus in the country on Jan. 11, citing a “massive increase” in Covid-19 cases caused by a variant discovered last year.
The African Union guarantees 270 million extra doses of the Covid vaccine for the continent

In addition to extending existing measures, Ramaphosa announced that 20 land borders will be closed by February 15.

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

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