The search for Ekurhuleni’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport, Andile Mngwevu, has ended in heartbreak after his remains were reportedly discovered in Mozambique, weeks after he went missing during devastating floods.
According to reports, the 40-year-old politician’s body was found in Mozambique following an extensive and emotionally charged search effort. Mngwevu was among five people travelling in a vehicle that was swept away by powerful floodwaters in the Chokwé area earlier this month, after heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow and roads to become impassable.
The incident occurred during a period of intense downpours that battered parts of Mozambique and southern Africa, leaving widespread destruction in their wake. Entire communities were cut off, infrastructure was damaged, and several lives were lost as floodwaters surged through towns and rural areas.
Following Mngwevu’s disappearance, Mozambican authorities, supported by South African rescue teams, launched a large-scale search and rescue operation. Teams combed riverbanks, floodplains and debris-strewn areas in the hope of finding survivors. For weeks, family members, colleagues, and residents of Ekurhuleni clung to hope as updates filtered through slowly.
Early in the search, authorities confirmed that contact had been made with one of the vehicle’s occupants, raising optimism that others, including Mngwevu, might also be found alive. However, as days turned into weeks, hope gradually gave way to fear, with no further trace of the MMC despite continued efforts.
The eventual discovery of Mngwevu’s remains has brought a tragic end to the search and has plunged the Ekurhuleni municipality and the broader political community into mourning. Tributes have begun to pour in from colleagues and community members who described him as a dedicated public servant committed to improving road infrastructure and transport services in the metro.
Mngwevu’s disappearance occurred against the backdrop of severe flooding across the region, which has prompted ongoing humanitarian and rescue operations. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been involved in air and ground missions in Mozambique, rescuing hundreds of people stranded by rising waters and damaged infrastructure.
The loss of the MMC has also renewed discussions about the dangers posed by extreme weather events, which have become more frequent and severe in recent years. Flooding has claimed lives, displaced families, and disrupted livelihoods across several provinces in South Africa and neighbouring countries.
As the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continues, authorities are expected to provide further details regarding the recovery process and arrangements for Mngwevu’s family. The City of Ekurhuleni is also expected to issue an official statement confirming the discovery and outlining the next steps.
For now, the tragic outcome has brought closure to a painful chapter, while leaving behind deep sorrow for a leader whose life was cut short amid a natural disaster that has already caused immense suffering across the region.
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