Cllr Mukosi Nelson Makhado, a PR councillor of the Makhado Municipality, was laid to rest at Ha-Mutsha cemetery last Saturday. He was killed in a vehicle accident along the Louis Trichardt-Tshakhuma road a fortnight ago.

Members of the African National Congress came in numbers to pay their last respects and described Makhado as a gallant fighter and a charismatic, disciplined and dedicated leader. He was a member of the African National Congress and a branch executive committee member of Gwamasenga ANC branch from 2000.

The executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Falaza Mdaka, said that Makhado´s death was a loss for the family but also to the government and community.

"Government appreciates the sacrifice made by Makhado´s family, which allowed him to spend his time serving the community," said Mdaka. Makhado was a very active member of the South African Democratic Teachers Union and a teacher at Mugoidwa Secondary school at Vuwani. He was also a member of the Ha-Mutsha Sanco and a member of the Levubu SAPS Community Policing Forum.

The mayor of Makhado Municipality, Cllr Mavhungu Luruli, said she was really touched by the untimely death of Makhado, one of her councillors. "We have really lost a leader in our municipality and it will be very difficult for us to replace him," she said. She added that Cllr Makhado´s death left a gap within the municipality. "We really valued his contribution to the municipality and the community. Losing a great leader like this also affects service delivery, because there were so many projects which he was facilitating in the community," she said.