The African National Congress (ANC) announces the passing of Ricardo "Mvelase" Mthembu, the ANC spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal province, who died from COVID-19 complications. Mvelase was a member of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee in KwaZulu-Natal and previously served as the mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality. He will be remembered for his tireless work building ANC structures. Mvelase will be laid to rest on July 10th in accordance with COVID-19 regulations, with attendance by close family and ANC officials. The ANC conveys condolences to Mvelase's family and urges efforts to intensify fighting

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 JULY 2020
ANCMOURNS THE PASSINGOFKWAZULU-NATALSPOKESPERSON RICARDO“MVELASE”MTHEMBU
The AfricanNational Congress(ANC) joins all itsstructuresthroughoutthe countryandthe people of
KwaZulu-Natalinmourningthe suddenpassingof Comrade RicardoNjabulo“Mvelase”Mthembuwho
reportedlysuccumbedtoCOVID19 complications.
Mvelase passedonthe 8th of July2020 and was a memberof the ANCProvincial Executive Committee
inKwaZulu-Natal servingasProvincialSpokesperson.
Mvelase gave hiswhole energyandtime tothe workof the AfricanNational Congress;servingthe
people of KwaZulu-Natalwithgreatdistinction.
Mvelase will be rememberedforworkingtirelesslytobuildANCstructuresinthe Ilembeareasatthe
time whenitwasvolatile,violentandnotfashionabletodoso - a true epitome of revolutionary
disciplineanddedication.
Mvelase previouslyservedthe ANCinGreaterKwaDukuzaRegionnow GeneralGizengaMpanzaas
ChairpersonandSecretaryrespectively.
In 2010, Mvelase an accomplishedproductof the youthmovement,headedthe Regional ElectionsTeam
(RET),whichledto the overwhelmingvictoryof the ANCin2011 Local GovernmentElections.Afterthe
local governmentelectionsof 2011, Mvelase waselectedasthe Mayor of KwaDukuzaLocal
Municipality.
Afterthe 2019 general elections,he wasdeployedtothe KwaZulu-Natal ProvincialLegislature.
In hishonorand memory,we urge all our comradesandthe rest of societyto playtheirpartand help
intensifythe waronthe COVID-19pandemic.

2. Mvelase will be laidtorestonFridaythe 10th of July2020 inaccordance withCOVID19 regulations.The
funeral isexpectedtobe attendedbyamongstothersclose familymembersandANCProvincial
Officials.
We jointhe AfricanNational CongressinKwaZulu-NatalinconveyingdeepestcondolencestoComrade
Ricardo“Mvelase”Mthembu’swife,kids,motherandthe entire familyforsucha devastatingand
deeplypainful loss.
Farewell Ngoze,Mvelase!!dearsonof the AfricanNational Congress.
The struggle continues!
Victoryisinevitable!
END
ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONALCONGRESS
Enquiries:
Pule Mabe
National Spokesperson
071 623 4975