MPHO Moerane, the former mayor of Johannesburg, has died after being involved in a car accident and admitted to the Netcare Milpark Hospital.
Moerane was involved in the accident last Monday night when he was travelling from Alexandra to his home in Mondeor, south of Joburg.
His death was confirmed by the family’s spokesperson Mike Maile and the African National Congress on Wednesday night.
“The African National Congress has learnt with great shock and sadness, the news of the passing of the former Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg who also served as a Regional Treasurer of the ANC in Johannesburg, Comrade Mpho Moerane, following a car accident and subsequent hospitalisation,” said the party in a statement issued by ANC Greater Johannesburg regional secretary Dada Morero.
“His life was decorated by service to the people and effective governance. He has served as MMC responsible for Environment and Infrastructure Services, and later the Executive Mayor in the City of Johannesburg. He met his untimely demise he was appointed as the ANC Regional Fundraiser and Leader of Caucus.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was deeply saddened by the passing of the former Johannesburg mayor.
Ramaphosa said: “This is a sad day for Johannesburg and for the nation, as we mourn the passing of a vibrant, young leader. Mpho Moerane was an entrepreneurial, multi-skilled leader who placed his talents and creative energy at the disposal of the citizens of Johannesburg by moving into public office with vast experience as a business owner and, earlier in his life, as an artisan.”
“We will miss his contribution to his political home, the African National Congress, and to the development of Johannesburg as one of our country’s and continent’s most important economic and cultural centres.”
Moerane was the ANC caucus leader in Johannesburg, a position he had held since the local government elections in 2021.
He was expected to contest the regional chair position at the ANC Johannesburg elective conference next weekend.
Moerane is the third Johannesburg mayor to die in the past year. He assumed the post for a month after Jolidee Matongo was also killed in a car accident. Matongo had replaced Geoff Makhubo, who died from Covid-19 complications.
Moerane worked for Eskom until 2006, when he became a businessman.
He ran his own restaurant business before he was elected to the Johannesburg city council.
He sat on the boards of Metro Bus, Alexandra Clinic and was a non-executive director for Chancellor House Holdings.
Moerane served as the treasurer of the African National Congress’s regional structure in Johannesburg. Moerane formerly served as the head of fundraising in the office of the regional treasurer.
Maile said the Moerane family was extremely saddened and disappointed “over the untimely demise of their son, husband and father.”
“Moerane was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit section where he received maximum medical expert treatment, support and care around the clock for injuries he sustained,” said Maile.
“He sadly did not respond positively to treatment and with heavy hearts and deep sorrow, we confirm we lost our beloved Mpho this evening (17:54) and his passing has deeply pained us. Mpho was a well known activist full of life determined and committed to work for his community.”
Mpho Phalatse, mayor of Johannesburg, said she was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Moerane this afternoon.
“It is with numbing sadness that I received the news of the passing of Councillor MphoMoerane, the leader of the ANC Caucus and the former Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg,” said Phalatse.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura also took to Twitter on Wednesday night to pay tribute to Moerane.
“I am saddened to learn of Cde MphoMoerane’s passing. When I visited him in hospital I had hoped that he would recover & return to serving the people of Johannesburg with the commitment & energy he has always displayed. Heartfelt condolences to his wife Fikile & the children,” said Makhura.
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