Eswatini PM dies in SA hospital after contracting COVID-19
Eswatini’s Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini has died, just weeks after testing positive for COVID-19.
Dlamini passed away at the age of 52 at a hospital in South Africa on Sunday, 13 December 2020.
While the exact circumstances surrounding his death are unclear at this stage, his deputy Themba Masuku has said governnent will soon provide an update on the matter.
“Their Majesties have requested that I inform the Nation of the sad and untimely passing away of his Excellency the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini. His Excellency passed on this afternoon while under medical care in a hospital in South Africa,” Masuku said in a short statement.
“Government in collaboration with the family will keep the nation informed of subsequent arrangements,” Masuku further said.
Social media has been awash with messages of condolences and tributes for Dlamini, who had ironically become a critical figure in the nation’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Dlamini had been moved to South Africa on 1 December 2020, to further focus on recovering from COVID-19.
He was elected as the prime minister of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, back in October 2018. Dlamini had previously served as chief executive officer of (CEO) MTN in that country.
According to the Southern African nation’s health ministry, close to 7 000 infections of COVID-19 have been picked up since the virus was first detected earlier in the year, while the death toll is at 127. So far, 6 379 people have managed to defeat the virus in that country.
No comments: