Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi tested positive for COVID-19

 By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Provincial Government squashed allegations that MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi has been admitted at Klerksdorp Private Hospital on Tuesday. These allegations surfaced amid the death of MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Tradition Affairs (COGTHA), Gordon Kegakilwe due to COVID-related disease on Monday.

The Office of the Premier spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi confirmed that Molapisi has tested positive for COVID-19, but he has not been admitted at the facility. Ngesi said Molapisi had self-isolated himself for 14 days at his home.

“It is not true that there is another MEC from the province who has been admitted at the Klerksdorp Private Hospital. We would like to put it on record that Molapisi is currently in self-isolatednot at his home, not at the Klerksdorp Private Hospital as it was reported across various social media platforms,” said Ngesi.

Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro will engage in an EXCO meeting with other MECs.

The total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the province is 6410, with 1335 recoveries and 36 deaths. North West province COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed cases contribute 3.1% to South Africa’s burden of disease.

The breakdown of cases is as follows:

 DATA HARMONIZATION

Allocation and verification of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the North West Province is an ongoing process. The Department of Health will continuously allocate cases after verification to a specific and appropriate location within a particular municipality.

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Picture: North West MEC for COGHTA, Gordon Kegakilwe who died of COVID-19 

By REGINALD KANYANE

African National Congress (ANC) in the North West mourns the death of MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHTA), Gordon Kegakilwe who succumbed to COVID-19 related disease on Monday.

ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson in the North West, Kenny Morolong said Kegakilwe passed away on Sunday at a medical facility in Klerksdorp due to COVID-19- related illness. He said Kegakilwe’s untimely death occurs at a time when he was at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic in the province.

“Cde LeGordy as he was affectionately known will be remembered as a committed public representative whose passion for matters related to local government resulted in his appointment to the position of MEC for COGHTA during the sixth administration.

“As the ANC, we dip a revolutionary flag in mourning one of our gallant sons. Kegakilwe was a committed servant of our people and served the organization in various capacities including as ANC Regional Chairperson in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Provincial Deputy Secretary of the ANC in the province,” he said.

Morolong added that at the time of Kegakilwe’s passing, he was appointed by the ANC National Executive Committee to serve in the IPC in the North West. He further said the death has robbed the ANC and the people of the North West a remarkable human being whose life was fundamentally committed to the service of his people.

“In his honour, the ANC will intensify the fight against COVID-19 and spare no effort in preserving human life. We convey our heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones and the entire membership of the ANC,” he said.

The ANC’s Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature, Paul Sebegoe has also sent his heartfelt condolences. Sebegoe said he reacted with shock to the death of Kegakilwe.

“The ANC caucus is deeply saddened by the untimely death of an organic intellectual, revolutionary cadre and patriotic servant of our people who served them with dedication, humility, and loyalty.

“Kegakilwe was responsible for the overall provincial coordination of disaster management efforts as well as water and sanitation COVID-19 interventions roll-out to our communities. His experience in this regard and valuable contribution that he has made towards the betterment of the lives of our people including fighting the global pandemic that took his life will be sorely missed because his death is a monumental loss.”

Sebegoe said the ANC caucus as well as the executive council and the legislature will be poorer without Kegakilwe whose lifelong mission was to serve the ANC and uplift the downtrodden and historically marginalized. Kegakilwe died from COVID pneumonia after he was admitted to Vryburg Private Hospital on Sunday.

Kegakilwe was transported by ambulance to a medical facility in Klerksdorp after his health deteriorated. Meanwhile, MEC for Public Works and Roads in the province, Gaoage Molapisi has self-quarantined after he also contacted COVID-19 disease.

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