Mzi Khumalo, the Gauteng African National Congress provincial task team spokesperson and a former provincial MEC, has died at the age of 54, according to statements released by the party on Monday. He passed away in the early hours of Monday morning after collapsing at his residence and being rushed to hospital for emergency medical treatment, Gauteng provincial task team coordinator Sochayile Khanyile confirmed.
Khumalo’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the party structures, with both provincial and national leadership structures issuing tributes highlighting his decades of grassroots political involvement. Throughout his career, Khumalo held multiple prominent positions across local and provincial government in South Africa, earning a reputation among his comrades as a dedicated public servant.
Did You Know? Mzi Khumalo’s political journey began during his youth in Randfontein through the Congress of South African Students, eventually leading him to serve as the inaugural mayor of the Rand West City Local Municipality following the 2016 local government elections, according to party records and regional reports.
Political Career and Leadership Roles in Gauteng
Khumalo’s extensive career in public governance included serving as the executive mayor of the Randfontein Local Municipality before the area’s municipal transition. He later served as the chief whip of the ANC caucus in the Gauteng provincial legislature until October 2022. That month, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi appointed Khumalo to the provincial executive council as the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, eGovernment, and Research and Development, a post he held until the May 2024 provincial elections.
Following the 2024 elections, when the ANC lost its outright majority in the province, Khumalo transitioned to the role of chairperson of the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Committee in the provincial legislature. At the time of his death, he was actively serving as the spokesperson for the ANC Gauteng provincial task team. National leaders at Luthuli House praised his sustained commitment to democratic local and provincial government institutions, noting that his leadership was rooted deeply in the communities he represented.
Mourning and Funeral Arrangements
The family has asked for privacy as they process the loss and attend to immediate family matters, requesting that well-wishers and comrades refrain from visiting on Monday, while indicating they would be ready to receive condolences starting Tuesday, according to regional coverage by Sowetan. The ANC national leadership at Luthuli House stated that details regarding Khumalo’s upcoming memorial service and official funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mzi Khumalo?
Mzi Khumalo was the spokesperson for the Gauteng ANC provincial task team, a former MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and a long-standing political leader who previously served as a municipal mayor and chief whip in the provincial legislature.
How did Mzi Khumalo pass away?
According to Gauteng provincial task team coordinator Sochayile Khanyile, Khumalo collapsed at his residence and was rushed to hospital for emergency medical treatment, where he passed away in the early hours of Monday morning.
What roles did Khumalo hold prior to his death?
Before his passing, Khumalo served as the provincial task team spokesperson and chairperson of the legislature’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Committee. His past roles included provincial MEC, chief whip in the Gauteng legislature, and mayor of Randfontein and Rand West City local municipalities.
How will the Gauteng provincial task team navigate the upcoming leadership and communications transitions following this loss?
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