Northern Cape mayor JJJ Olyn dies
The mayor's passing has been confirmed by the office of the ZF Mgcawu District, although the details surrounding his death are not yet known.
Mayor JJJ Olyn of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality. Picture: Facebook.
Executive mayor of the Northern Cape’s ZF Mgcawu District municipality JJJ Olyn has passed away, a representative of the municipality’s office has confirmed.
The details surrounding his death are not yet known, with a statement from the municipality’s office not delving into how he died.
According to the statement, Olyn passed away on 18 January.
The municipality said it had reacted with “great sadness” to news of Olyn’s “untimely death”, adding that he served with “distinction and tenacity”.
ZF Mgcawu District remembers Olyn as a “humble person”, adding that his death leaves a “void” in both local government and party structures.
The statement also offers condolences to Olyn’s friends, family and colleagues.
Olyn, who was known to some as Roy Olyn, was elected unopposed as executive mayor of the district on 30 May 2019.
Prior to this, he was mayor of the Kai Garib area, before becoming first speaker and then executive mayor of the ZF Mgcawu municipality.
The news was first announced on Twitter by ANC Northern Cape provincial chairperson Dr Zamani Saul, who also announced the passing of a preacher in the ANC chaplaincy.
“Death is on a rampage, just after the sendoff of Cde Archie Lucas now we must contend with the death of comrade JJJ Olyn, a PEC member and executive mayor of ZF Mgcawu District and also Rev Jakkals, a member of the ANC Chaplaincy. Where life resides, death will always be a guest…” he tweeted.
Last week, it was reported that the Northern Cape’s former MEC for education, Gomolemo Archie Lucas, had passed away at the Mediclinic Gariep hospital in Kimberley.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has since given the go-ahead for a special provincial state funeral for Lucas.
Death is on a rampage, just after the sendoff of Cde Archie Lucas now we must contend with the death of comrade JJJ Olyn a PEC member and Executive Mayor of ZF Mgcawu District and also Rev Jakkals a member of the ANC Chaplaincy. Where life resides death will always be a guest… pic.twitter.com/iqPegmfHlf
— Dr. Zamani Saul (@dr_zsaul1) January 20, 2020
(Compiled by Daniel Friedman)
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