Popular DA councillor Shaw dies after illness

THE Democratic Alliance has lost another councillor with the passing of Jerome Shaw at the weekend.

Shaw, an admitted attorney, was a proportional representative (PR) councillor at the Enoch Mgijima municipality. He died on Tuesday after a short illness. He first had a heart attack before suffering a stroke.

His death comes soon after the Eastern Cape official opposition party lost its Buffalo City Metro caucus leader Jan Smit, who died in his sleep in the early hours of Monday.

DA provincial leader Nqaba Bhanga described the passing of Shaw as a blow to the party.

“We are saddened by the untimely passing of the two councillors, councillor Jerome and councillor Smit.

“They both played significant roles in their respective councils.

“Councillor Jerome was an extremely generous person who was not far away from his community,” said Bhanga.

Shaw joined local government politics in 2011 as a DA PR councillor.

During his terms in office he was a well-known and respected character in both the Lukhanji and Enoch Mgijima local authorities.

Enoch Mgijima executive mayor Lindiwe Gunuza-Nkwentsha described Shaw as a great asset to the municipality and to the community.

“His political acumen was a huge asset to both his party and council, with him often having the first word at council meetings, raising legal and procedural matters,” said GunuzaNkwetsha.

In 2011 he was on the administration and human resources standing committee until the end of his first term.

The DA Komani constituency leader, Celeste Barker, said the passing of Shaw was a shock.

“We are mourning one of the most hard working individuals I know.

“He gave generously. Everybody is still in shock. It is way too soon,” said Barker.