Cerebral Malaria is the cause of Mlungisi Sisulu’s death

Pretoria – Cerebral malaria has been confirmed as the cause of death of Mlungisi Sisulu who died on Thursday 3 January 2008 at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex in the Greater London area in the United Kingdom.

Mlungisi, the son of Maxwell and Elinor Sisulu was visiting London en-route from Rome where he spent holidays with his widow Kundi when he took ill and was admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital and subsequently died.

His father Maxwell, family members and senior Foreign Affairs officials today Friday 4 January 2008 arrived in London where they were received by South Africa’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Lindiwe Mabuza, to finalise arrangements for the repatriation of the mortal remains of Mlungisi back to South Africa for interment.  Funeral arrangements will be announced later in the week.

Mlungisi Sisulu was South Africa’s First Secretary of the country’s Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan and was visiting London when he met his untimely death.  Mlungisi who joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1999 had previously served as South Africa’s First Secretary in our Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic.

On Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma extended the heartfelt condolences of President Thabo Mbeki, the government and the Department of Foreign Affairs to Max and Elinor Sisulu, Kundi the widow and the entire Sisulu family following the untimely death of Mlungisi.

In this regard Minister Dlamini Zuma said, “Death has once more robbed the government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and indeed the people of our country, of the distinguished services of one of our rising diplomats Mlungisi Sisulu in our efforts aimed at creating a better South Africa in a better Africa and a better world.”

“During his tenure in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mlungisi served the Department and indeed the country with diligence, professionalism, loyalty and great dedication,” said Minister Dlamini Zuma.

“Accordingly the death of Mlungisi Sisulu leaves the Department of Foreign Affairs and indeed our country poorer in our efforts to consolidate the African agenda,” continued Minister Dlamini Zuma.

“In this regard, and on behalf of President Thabo Mbeki, the Ministry and management of Foreign Affairs as well as our diplomats at home and abroad, we extend our thoughts and prayers to Max, Elinor, his widow Kundi and indeed the entire Sisulu family during this moment of bereavement – alwehlanga lungehlanga!” concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

4 January 2008