Johannesburg mayor Geoff Makhubo dies of COVID-19

South Africa is battling a severe third wave of coronavirus infections, spurred by the Delta variant.

Johannesburg mayor Geoff Makhubo has died of complications after contracting COVID-19, the provincial government has announced, as South Africa’s economic hub continues to be hit by a severe third wave of the pandemic. “Makhubo passed on this morning, 9 July, after being in hospital for a while,” acting Mayor and Member of the Mayoral Committee, Councillor Eunice Mgcina said in a press release. Makhubo tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to hospital last week after falling ill.