Corona virus claims another big scalp in KZN government

THABISILE KHOMO

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has suffered another knock-out punch in the face from the deadly Covid-19 epidemic with another top official dying from the hospital this weekend.

This follows the sudden death of Bheki Ntuli, the MEC for the Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison late on Saturday afternoon.

Ntuli is said to have succumbed to the covid-19 related health complications at a hospital in Durban. The news of his passing started circulating on social media in the early evening of Saturday, before an official confirmation was made by the Premier, Sihle Zikalala at around midnight.

“MEC Ntuli passed away in a Durban hospital, due to Covid-19 related complications. We are deeply hurt and extremely shocked,” Zikalala said.

The 64-year-old Ntuli, known by his clan name, ‘Mphemba’ in the political circles, and was appointed to the position of MEC in September 2019, taking the reigns from the now eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.

“He has been on the front line combat, working day in and out in all government efforts to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on citizens. He is a soldier who died with his boots on,” said Zikalala.

He added that during his tenure as MEC, Mphemba had begun to implement a number of programmes that were aimed at reversing the tide of gender based violence, taxi violence, and reducing the carnage on the province’s roads.

“He will forever be remember for consistently displaying exceptional leadership and wisdom,” he said. The Purpose magazine has established that Ntuli, who hails from Mtubatuba in the north of KZN,​ has a very rich political and academic history.

He cut his political teeth working in the ANC underground structures and was a liberation fighter, who was involved in uMkhonto WeSizwe underground operations.

Among many other leadership roles he played, he also served as a shop steward of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa.

He held a number of tertiary qualifications from different institutions, including a degree in Management from University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.

A few months after the covid-19 virus outbreak last year, the province lost a member of it’s legislature, Ricardo Mthembu.
A number of other ANC members reportedly died due to covid-19 over the past few months. ANC provincial spokesman, Nhlakanipho Ntombela confirmed that since the death of Ricardo, over 10 other party members in high positions have died due to the virus.

“It has not been easy for us. Our hearts are very heavy,” he said. He added that Ntuli’s first admission to hospital due to the virus was during the festive season.

“I can’t remember the exact date but we were hopeful when he got discharged and returned home. We thought he was recovering well. We were shocked when we heard about his passing and do not know what happened. Hopefully we are going to find out when we visit his family soon,” he said.