Former Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa has died

Former Gauteng Health MEC and provincial legislature chief whip Brian Hlongwa has died.

The African National Congress (ANC) confirmed Hlongwa passed away on Tuesday night following a short illness.

The party has described has as a patriot and a seasoned political educator.

Hlongwa served in various positions during his political career, including as ANC councillor and an MMC in Joburg in the year 2000.

He was later elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), where he was appointed as MEC for health until 2009.

He resigned as the ANC's chief whip in the GPL in 2018 amid allegations of corruption.

He was accused of allegedly facilitating corruption amounting to about R1.2 billion in the Gauteng Department of Health during his time in office.

Hlongwa has always denied the allegations of receiving kickbacks from certain businessmen and maintained his innocence.

The corruption case against Hlongwa and his co-accused was set to go to trial in April.

The ANC said Hlongwa was key to the party’s political education andtraining, describing his death as a major loss.