JUST IN: Johannesburg’s Mayor Makhubo Dies Of COVID-19

The mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub and largest city, Geoff Makhubo has died after contracting the coronavirus.

Geoff Makhubo took office in December 2019 after the ruling party wrested control of the city from an opposition coalition. He was hospitalized after becoming infected with Covid-19 and he succumbed to the disease on Friday, the city said in a statement. Eunice Mgcina was named the acting mayor.

Read the statement confirming his death as obtained by OduNews.com below:

South Africa is currently in the throes of a third wave of coronavirus infections, with Johannesburg and the surrounding Gauteng province bearing the brunt of new cases.