Former Joburg mayor Mpho Moerane’s family has dismissed claims that the city’s number one office is cursed and that his accident was orchestrated from within the ranks of the ANC.
This comes after posts on social media speculating that the accident could have been planned.
Family spokesperson, Mike Maile, told The Star that the former mayor’s accident was purely an accident.
He said the mayor was driving from a meeting in the north of Johannesburg to his home in Bryanston when he hit a rock that led to the car crash.
Maile said it was inaccurate for people to associate Moerane’s accident with the accident of the former mayor of the city, Jolidee Matongo, who died in an accident last year. Weeks before Matongo died, Geoff Makhubo, who was also mayor, died of complications related to Covid-19.
The ANC politics in Johannesburg had become deeply factional, with some leaders suspecting that the unfortunate events which had happened to some leaders were caused by fellow comrades.
“People must stop these superstitions. This was an accident. Joli was not wearing a safety belt. That is why his drivers are alive, and he is not. How can we infer witchcraft there? Mpho hit a rock that is natural. There is no witchcraft. Even Geoff tested positive for Covid. There is no foul play here,” Maile said.
Maile said Moerane was still in a critical condition. His wife has been by his bedside since he was admitted to hospital. Despite this, Maile said the family was going through a tough time.
“His wife has been by his bedside since day one, and she has been there with Mpho’s mother, who is frail and the children. It’s not an easy time for them,” Maile said.
Maile said the confusion that took place over the weekend announcing Moerane’s death had shocked the family and left Moerane’s wife distraught.
The family was organising a venue where people could drop off flowers and leave messages of support. Many of Moerane’s supporters had been turned away from seeing him in the hospital.
“We have been turning throngs of people away from the hospital, and we have been consumed by their well-being, but we will create a place where people can bring flowers,” Maile said.
The Joburg leg of the ANC elective conference has been postponed, although Maile said Moerane was still standing for the mayoral position.
“All we are waiting for is that he wakes up and accepts the nomination. He is not the kind of guy who runs away from challenges,” Maile said.