Former Tshwane mayor laid to rest
“It was a tragic and unexpected turn of events that led to the untimely passing of Makwarela."
Former Tshwane mayor and council speaker Murunwa Makwarela was laid to rest on Sunday morning April 28 in Venda, Limpopo.
Makwarela died on Tuesday morning April 23 at Leratong hospital in Krugersdorp after a short illness.
Family spokesperson Dr Abel Dube said the late Makwarela reported he was not feeling well and was taken to his doctor near Protea Glen on Monday.
“It was a tragic and unexpected turn of events that led to the untimely passing of Makwarela. He complained about not feeling well, leading his wife to take him to the doctor for a check-up.
When they got to the doctor’s room, they said he needed to be taken to a hospital for an x-ray… he was taken to Leratong hospital where he later died.
Around 04:00 on Tuesday, his wife called and told us that Makwarela unfortunately did not make it,” said Dube.
Dube said the news of his passing has left his loved ones shocked and heartbroken, as they grapple with the sudden loss of a beloved husband, father, and friend.
“He leaves behind his wife and two daughters. He will be remembered for his hard work,” Dube said.
Incumbent Tshwane council speaker, Mncedi Ndzwanana paid tribute to his late predecessor.
Ndzwanana said: “It was a sad day for Tshwane as we have lost the former speaker, councillor and mayor, Dr Murunwa Makwarela.
Makwarela lost his life on Tuesday morning April 23, 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 mayor for two weeks in February 2023, replacing Randall Williams.
He resigned as mayor on March 10 when it was revealed that he was declared insolvent in 2016 and had not been rehabilitated, as required by law to hold the post.
Makwarela handed himself over to Brooklyn police after he was charged with fraud and corruption for allegedly submitting a falsified certificate of 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 that he had been rehabilitated and provided “proof of the rehabilitation notice”.
The authenticity of the notice was immediately in doubt as the letterhead appeared to refer to a nonexistent court and presiding judge.
He was released on bail in April last year and case has ongoing since.
Makwarela died a week after the Pretoria commercial crimes court refused his application for his corruption case to be struck off the roll.
NPA spokeperson Lumka Mahanjana said the court is yet to decide on the charges following Makwarela’s death.
“Once the state is furnished with the death certificate, the matter against Makwarela will be withdrawn from the roll when it appears on July 31.”
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