THE death of a young, fearless leader has left many shocked.
The recalled young councillor and Municipal Public Account Committee (MPAC) member in Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality in the Free State, Tumelo Thulo (34), allegedly committed suicide on Sunday, 6 October.
Tumelo was deployed as a councillor at Maluti-a-Phofung before he was recalled by his party president, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, of the Africa Content Movement (ACM).
Tumelo's untimely death was confirmed by ACM secretary general Mandla Tshabalala-Holley on Monday, 7 October, at the party's headquarters in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State.
"We've received the heartbreaking news about the departure of our young and vibrant former councillor, Tumelo Thulo. The family gave us permission to confirm his sudden death.
"The full details of his departure will be communicated at a later stage. We've lost a great leader who was supposed to dominate the political territory in the province. He was supposed to play a major role in the coming 2026 local government elections," he said.
It's alleged that Tumelo's body was found hanging in a room belonging to his friend, who is also a councillor in the same municipality.
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Tumelo was described as a fearless leader who exposed a high level of corruption in the cash-strapped municipality.
In a previous interview with Daily Sun, Tumelo exposed the municipality for having 200 managers in 10 departments, with their salary bill ranging from R20 million.
He also exposed billions of rands recorded as fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Tumelo filed a motion of no confidence that removed former mayor Gilbert Mokotso.
On Wednesday, 26 June, Daily Sun published a story under the headline: Hlaudi shows young Councillor Bosso Ke Mang.
His party has since said they're not in a position to disclose the reasons for recalling him from his position, but they acknowledged his hard work in his strategic role.
Tumelo was known as the youngest councillor in the history of Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality.
This is a developing story.
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