Jackson Mthembu’s daughter commits suicide

African National Congress (ANC) senior party member Jackson Mthembu has posted a gut-wrenching tweet in which he reveals that his daughter has taken her own life.

Khwezi Mthembu committed suicide last night at her family’s Pelican parliamentary village home in Cape Town, according to the politician.

He added that the family was “in deep pain”.

“We don’t know what led her to take her own life at such a tender age of 25 years,” Mthembu said.

Mthembu’s followers immediately took to Twitter to offer their heartfelt condolences.

A statement from Mthembu’s office said it “has learned with great pain and sadness of the passing of the daughter of Comrade Jackson Mthembu” and offers further details on what transpired.

“After the sitting of the National Assembly late last night, as comrade Mthembu was on his way home, he received a call from one of his daughters who informed him of a tragedy that had occurred at home,” the statement says.

“Upon arrival at his parliamentary village home in Pelican Park, Cape Town, he was confronted by a very painful sight of his daughter, Khwezi Mthembu, 25, who had by all indications taken her own life in her room.

“This is a very traumatic and painful experience for the family and we ask South Africans to keep us in their prayers during this difficult time.

“We thank those who are sending messages of condolences to the chief whip and the Mthembu family.”

The statement added that Mthembu’s office will release details of the funeral in due course.

UPDATE: Statement from the Office of the Chief Whip added 9:53am, March 20.

(Compiled by Daniel Friedman)

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