Eastern Cape Premier, Phumulo Masualle, says he's saddened at the death of the mayor of Port St Johns, councillor Danisile Mangqo.
Masualle said Mangqo died in the early hours of Thursday morning following "a short illness."
"We are saddened by the untimely passing away of Councillor Mangqo who has led the PSJ Local Municipality with diligence and political maturity. Death has deprived us of a committed, professional and dedicated servant of our people."
"We thank him for his sterling contribution to create better communities in line with the priorities of government. On behalf of Provincial Government and Cogta EC, I express our deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Mangqo family and their relatives," said EC MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Fikile Xasa,
The Speaker of the Port St Johns local council, Thandisizwe Khukula, said "as council we are devastated, death has robbed us of a unifier who spent his entire life to bring about harmony, peace and development to the people of Port St Johns in particular and OR Tambo in general. Hamba kakuhle Sukude, ugqatso ulifezile."
Mangqo was elected mayor of Port St Johns Local Municipality in June 2011.
