Mayor tests positive for the coronavirus

Another Eastern Cape mayor has tested positive for the coronavirus.

OR Tambo district mayor Thokozile Sokanyile, who chairs the coronavirus district command council, was taken into isolation after contracting Covid-19, said mayoral spokesperson Mntuwoxolo Ngudle yesterday.

The district authority has urged anyone who came into contact with Sokanyile to go for tests.

“All members of the mayoral committee, councillors, members of the multidisciplinary district command council, and all municipal employees who came into contact with the executive mayor will go for screening and testing,” Ngudle said.

“Members of the public who had contact with the mayor are also advised to go for testing and to self-quarantine until results come back to mitigate the spread of the virus.”

Her spokesperson said Sokanyile would continue working, with her meetings and interactions done virtually.

She said despite the setback, the mayor remained in high spirits. She was diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday.

Last week Ngcobo mayor Siyabulela Zangqa tested positive for Covid-19.

This led to the closure of municipal offices in Ngcobo for cleaning while staff and councillors who had come into contact with him were tested.

Last Wednesday OR Tambo’s main administration block, Myezo Park, was closed for decontamination after one staff member tested positive.

Ngudle said Sokanyile had not been in the office when she tested positive as they were already closed.

He said after the building was cleaned, the municipality had started phasing in the return of workers yesterday.

He said the mayor has urged all leaders and the public to adhere to regulations, including wearing a mask in public and regularly washing their hands.

The Eastern Cape ANC provincial executive committee wished her a speedy recovery, with provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi saying he had been in contact with her.

“In line with government guidelines on the management of Covid-19 cases, we have been assured that steps have been taken to secure treatment of the executive mayor and provide support to her family,” he said.