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Former Tshwane Mayor Murunwa Makwarela Passes Away at 52

Published

1 week ago

April 23, 2024

Tshwane Council Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana confirmed the death of the former Tshwane mayor Murunwa Makwarela.

As per Jacaranda FM, Makwarela, a council speaker, councillor, and Mayor of the capital city, died at 52, leaving behind a trace of a legacy of public service.

There are no agreed-upon circumstances of his death. However, his recent appearance before the court on charges of fraud added another layer of intricacy to his legacy. His bail was set to R10,000 a few days ago after he pleaded not guilty to fraud charges in the Specialised Crimes Court.

Also read: Tshwane’s Briefest Mayor: Dr. Murunwa Makwarela

The charges resulted from claims that Makwarela submitted a fake insolvency clearance certificate to the City of Tshwane, stating it issued the certificate to the High Court in Pretoria. This certificate was provided to prove his ability to continue serving as Mayor despite his bankruptcy.

But the court contested the certificate’s genuineness and forced Makwarela to give up the office. While stepping down, he reaffirmed his innocence on several occasions.

Later, the City of Tshwane employed the Hawks to investigate the matter, and Makwarela is now present in court.

During his reign from November 2021, Makwarela was always patriotic, a councillor, a speaker of the council and a Mayor, regardless of the legal battle. His going leaves an end chapter in Tshwane’s political landscape, a mix of respect and question marks.

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