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Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
MDC-T Nkulumane legislator and the party’s deputy organising secretary Thamsanqa Mahlangu has died. He was 43. Mahlangu died at a Bulawayo hospital yesterday morning after a long battle with cancer. MDC-T national spokesperson Obert Gutu said the party had lost one of its founder members.

“The MDC family, has, once again, been plunged into mourning following the passing on of Honourable Thamsanqa Mahlangu, who was our deputy national organising secretary as well as the Member of Parliament for Nkulumane in Bulawayo,” said Gutu.

Mahlangu, said Gutu, was a fearless and committed fighter.

“He was also a founder member of the party and at one time he served as the party’s chairman of the Youth Assembly,” said the spokesperson.

He said the MDC-T had lost a committed grassroots mobiliser who was always ready to lead from the front.

Mahlangu served as Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment during the inclusive government.

He was elected deputy national organising secretary at the MDC-T 2014 congress.

When Chronicle visited Mahlangu’s home in Nkulumane 12 suburb yesterday, some party members led by Bulawayo deputy mayor Gift Banda had gathered to pay their condolences.

Banda said the party had lost one of its dedicated founder members.

“This is a great loss to the party. Mahlangu was one of the key founder members of our party and his death has dealt a cruel blow to us as MDC-T,” said Banda.

Mahlangu’s family declined to comment saying they were waiting for their spokesperson.

Mahlangu is survived by wife, Brenda Zaranyika and two sons, Munyaradzi, 14, and Zibusiso, 6.

Mourners are gathered at number 15053 Nkulumane 12 in Bulawayo.