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Joan Tsikira Herald Reporter
Nkulumane legislator Mr Thamsanqa Mahlangu (MDC-T) died yesterday at a private hospital in Bulawayo. He was 44. MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu confirmed the demise.

Mr Gutu said Mr Mahlangu (pictured right), who was born on April 27 1971, succumbed to cancer that he had battled for a while. “Yes I can confirm that Mr Mahlangu has died,” he said.

“He was battling cancer and as a party we are deeply saddened by his death.

“We are still in a state of shock because he was an energetic and strong pillar of the party.”

Mr Gutu described Mr Mahlangu who is the former MDC-T secretary for the youth assembly and Deputy Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment in the inclusive Government as a dedicated party member who would be sadly missed in opposition politics.

He said burial arrangements would be announced in due course, adding that it was too early to discuss his replacement.

“Issues to do with his replacement both in Parliament and in the national executive will be discussed at a later stage.”

Mr Mahlangu was in the limelight for the wrong reasons sometime in 2010 when he was arrested on allegations of stealing Buhera South legislator Cde Joseph Chinotimba’s cellphone.

He was, however, acquitted together with his three co-accused Malvern Chadamoyo, Geraldine Phiri and Patience Nyoni.

Harare magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini, said the state failed to prove a strong case against the accused persons.