Former Durban deputy mayor Nomzuvo Shabalala dies of COVID-19

Nomvuzo Shabalala, who formerly held the office of Durban deputy mayor, succumbed to her battle against against a COVID-19 related illness on Saturday 26 December. 

Parliament’s speaker Thandie Modise confirmed the news on Saturday evening, saying that Shabalala – who was a member of parliament at the time of her passing – was “diligent and and hardworking” in the communities that she served. 

Shabalala ‘diligent and hardworking’ 

National Assembly speaker Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces chair Amos Masondo released a joint statement announcing Shabalala’s tragic death, and said that she had conducted herself reputably during her brief stint as an MP, particularly within the basic education sector. 

“Despite being a relatively new parliamentarian, Shabalala swiftly familiarised herself with the workings and complex systems of the legislature,” they said.

“She was diligent and hardworking, particularly in the committees she served, where she helped bolster oversight over the country’s basic education system and ethical conduct of public representatives.”

Parliament urges pandemic precautions

The parliamentary representatives said that the COVID-19 virus continues its spree of indiscriminate death at a time when South Africans are becoming increasingly complacent in the face of the pandemic.

“The continuing and unprecedented loss of human life due to the COVID-19 pandemic was distressing, and once again underscored the indiscriminate nature of the virus,” they said. 

“Unless as South Africans we work together to combat the rate of infection by adhering to all the known and widely publicised protocols, this pandemic and its second wave will continue to cause untold suffering and severe hardship to families, communities and livelihoods.”

COVID-19 cases continue to surge

COVID-19 cases in South Africa continue to surge, with Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announcing on Saturday that a further 11 552 infections have been reported in the past 24-hours.

Dr Mkhize also confirmed that 245 patients lost their lives to COVID-19 – 118 from the Eastern Cape, 12 from Gauteng, 57 from KwaZulu-Natal, 55 from the Western Cape and 3 from Mpumalanga