The mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality dies

The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has expressed its shock regarding the death of Cllr Tsietsi Tolo, executive mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

According to George Mthethwa, spokesperson for Cogta, Tolo was the former MEC for local government, traffic control and traffic safety which was later reconfigured to cooperative governance and traditional affairs. He also served as the chairperson of the committee on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Resolution, and later as the executive mayor of Steve Tshwete.

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Mandla Msibi, MEC for Cogta, said Tolo’s death is a major blow to the local government sector.

“We are shattered by his untimely death. His demise has robbed this sector of leadership at a time when we needed him the most. His selfless contribution to community development and the determination to serve, set him apart from his peers.

He championed the township economic revitalisation programme to improve the socio-economic status of communities in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality,” said Msibi. His tenure as chairperson of the Tolo Committee, according to Msibi, contributed much to the department’s aspiration of restoring stability within the institution of traditional leadership in Mpumalanga.

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“For some time, the institution of traditional leadership was plagued by disputes. And when a committee to resolve them was established, he made himself available to champion the cause. Implementing the resolutions of the committee, will be one of the many ways the department honours his legacy,” Msibi said. He expressed condolences to Tolo’s family, the Steve Tshwete municipal council and the community.