The OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM) has
announced the untimely passing of its suspended municipal manager Owen Hlazo.
In paying tribute to the late Hlazo, the ORTDM
described him as a seasoned administrator who served the district municipality
for over 18 years.
“He served the O.R. Tambo District Municipality in
several positions within the Water and Sanitation Services Directorate before
he was employed as a Director. In 2006 he was employed to serve as the
municipal manager,” read a short statement from the municipality.
ORTDM executive mayor, Thokozile Sokhanyile, has conveyed
a message of sympathy to Hlazo’s family and the entire population of the
district.
“We are deeply shocked and devastated that our
district has lost one of our own,” Sokhanyile said, adding that the district
municipality will enter a period of mourning.
The cause of death had not been revealed and the
municipality said further details will be communicated in due course.
Hlazo had been on suspension since July 17 last year
after a council decision to suspend him on allegations of having authorised payments
totalling R170 million to service providers for work that the council said was
not done.
