The death of Ms Phindile Martha Mmola, Member of Parliament, has left her family devastated
She died of Covid-19 related illness, parliament reported.
eMBALENHLE – The national parliament said Ms Mmola died due to Covid-19 related complications on Saturday, 18 July.
Ms Mmola served as a permanent delegate to the National Council of Provinces from the African National Congress (ANC) deployed to the parliament’s committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
She served in the previous term of Parliament as Member of the National Assembly, where she was also a member of the portfolio committee on police and standing committee defence.
She became a permanent representative to the NCOP in 2019, and has been a member of the Select Committee on Security and Justice; Select Committee Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements; Joint Standing Committee on Defence; Select Committee on Petitions and Executive Undertakings; Select Committee on Finance as well as the Select Committee on Appropriations.
“We have lost a committed legislator whose passion and drive for security matters transcended beyond Parliament.
“Ms Mmola was a longstanding active advocate for secure and safe communities.
“She supported various crime-fighting initiatives, and was particularly vehement against gender-based violence in her community. She will be remembered for her hard work, dedication, passion and love for the communities she served, said the presiding officers.”
The Presiding Officers of Parliament extended their heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Mmola, as well as the bereaved families of South Africans who have passed away due to this pandemic.
“They urge South Africans to adhere to all safety protocols of level 3 lockdown, continue to stay at home and leave only when necessary, wash hands frequently and continue to wear masks at all times when in public spaces.”
The African National Congress has also conveyed their condolences to the family.
The party described Ms Mmola as servant of the people who served her country and the ANC with diligence. Ms Nomfanelo Kota of the ANC said Ms Mmola was passionate and stood firmly against gender-based violence and femicide.
“The ANC has lost a formidable leader who strived to see transformation in South Africa. Her track record in party includes being a branch secretary for Ward 19 in 2000 to 2001, election coordinator in the Govan Mbeki sub-region in 2014, regional executive member in the Gert Sibande Region in 2016 and head of mobilisation team for the local government elections in the Govan Mbeki sub-region in 2016.
