Former Tshwane mayor dies at age 52

Former Tshwane mayor and council Speaker Murunwa Makwarela died earlier today at the age of 52.

It is reported that Makwarela, who belonged to Cope during his days serving the state, passed away following a short illness.

Former Cope spokesperson in Tshwane Brian Mkhono confirmed the passing of the former mayor. “It is true, he has passed on.”

Tshwane council Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana also paid tribute to the late Makwarela.

Ndzwanana said: “It is a sad day for Tshwane as we have lost the former speaker, councillor and mayor, Dr Murunwa Makwarela. Makwarela lost his life this morning, and it is a sad day for the city, the Office of the Speaker, because he is my predecessor.”

Ndzwanana passed his condolences on to Makwarela’s family and friends.

Makwarela was Tshwane’s mayor for two weeks after he was appointed in February 2023, replacing Randall Williams.

He was disqualified from being mayor when it was revealed that he had declared insolvency in 2016 and allegedly wasn’t rehabilitated, as required by law, to hold the post.

Makwarela handed himself over to the Brooklyn Police Station after resigning as mayor on March 10 following allegations that he had submitted a falsified certificate of insolvency rehabilitation to Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler.

This came to light when Mettler was tipped off that Makwarela had been declared insolvent in 2016.

Makwarela, however, claimed he had been rehabilitated and provided ‘proof of the rehabilitation notice’.

The authenticity of the notice was in doubt as the letterhead appeared to refer to a nonexistent court and presiding judge.

He was granted bail in April last year and has since been attending his court case.

Last week Makwarela appeared in the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court, however, his efforts to get his case struck off the roll were reportedly denied.