COPE says it's unfortunate Makwarela could not clear his name in court before his death

JOHANNESBURG - Congress of the People (COPE) said it's unfortunate that its former councillor, Murunwa Makwarela, died before he could clear his name in court.

The former Tshwane mayor and Speaker died on Tuesday after a short illness.

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He was facing fraud charges at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

The charges relate to his failure to disclose his insolvency status and for submitting a fake rehabilitation certificate to council.

COPE’s Gauteng chairperson, Tom Mofokeng, said he recruited Makwarela from academics to join politics.

"He was not expelled, he resigned [from COPE] after that cloud. As a party, we were still looking forward to getting to understand what really happened but also, he didn’t commit the crime with the monies or anything that was entrusted to him in the council, but the problem was the debt he didn’t disclose."