Tshwane's ex-mayor Dr Murunwa Makwarela dies of unknown causes

• Tshwane’s former mayor, Dr Murunwa Makwarela, passed away during the early hours of 23 April
• Makwarela’s cause of death is unknown, and he died a year after handing himself over to the Brooklyn Police Station
• He faced two counts of fraud relating to two incidents, including receiving over R1 million in bribery

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, the State of the Nation Address, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

Mzansi mourned Murunwa Makwarela’s death. Image: @Dr_MurunwaM Source: Twitter

TSHWANE – The City of Tshwane’s former mayor, Dr Murunwa Makwarela, died in early 23 April. His death shocked many South Africans on social media.

Former Tshwane mayor dies

According to @ewnupdates, his cause of death was not revealed. He died at the age of 52. Makwarela’s death comes one year after he appeared in court on charges of fraud.

IOL reported that Makwarela handed himself over to the Brooklyn Police Station in April 2023 after he was accused of issuing a fake insolvency certificate. The City investigated him after he claimed he was insolvent, and it demanded proof of his insolvency. He also allegedly received R1.4 million while still the City of Tshwane’s speaker.

View the tweet here:

His death left many with questions

Netizens on social media discussed his death. Some passed their condolences.

Nhlanhla Gezani Leonard said:

“May his soul rest in peace. Can the media treat his funeral as a private matter?”

Tammi_ZA said:

“I was hoping he would work on himself and get back up again for himself and his family. This has hit me. RIP Dr Makwarela. May your family always hold you in high regard.”

Peter Mosehla said:

“The problem of eating the money and sushi alone.”

Romeo said:

“His family, like Jooste’s, must be afforded privacy to deal with his passing.”

Grandson of Rocks said:

“Ao banna, before getting jailed.”

Former PAC leader dies at the age of 93

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that the Pan Africanist Congress’s former leader, Motsoko Phelo, died at 93.

Phelo, a Supreme Court advocate and an anti-apartheid leader, was remembered for his contributions to the struggle movement and had degrees in Systematic Theology, Political Science, and law.