Mayor of Johannesburg dies of COVID

Geoff Makhubo, the mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa, has died after contracting COVID-19. 

Mlimandlela Ndamase, the spokesman of the city, said Makhubo was hospitalised after testing positive for the infection in June.

He said the mayor later succumbed to the infection.

Makhubo was 53 years old.

According to South Africa’s Sunday Times, Eunice Mgcina, acting executive mayor and member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for health and social development, asked mourners not to converge on the home of the deceased.

South Africa is battling a third wave of infections and spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.

“We had hoped that the executive mayor would beat the virus and return to work and lead the city as we face this pandemic that has devastated lives and livelihoods. Sadly, it was not to be,” Mgcina said.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife, daughters, mother and the rest of his family, friends and comrades.”

The late Makhubo became mayor in June 2019.