Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Public Face of South Africa's COVID-19 Fight Dies of Virus Complications

VOA News

   South Africa is mourning the sudden death of Jackson Mthembu, a cabinet
   minister and presidential adviser who was the public face of South
   Africa's fight against COVID-19.

   President Cyril Ramaphosa offered condolences in a statement Thursday,
   saying he was shocked and saddened that 62-year-old Mthembu had died
   from COVID-related complications.

   He is the first of six South African cabinet members infected with
   COVID-19 to succumb to the disease.

   Mthembu revealed last week that he tested positive for the virus during
   a checkup for abdominal pain.

   His death comes as South Africa battles a second wave of COVID-19
   propelled by a virus variant believed to be more easily spread.

   So far, South Africa has confirmed more than 1.3 million infections and
   39,501 deaths, according to John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

.