South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) president, John Dlamini has died.
The union announced that he died after a brief illness on Thursday morning at the age of 53.
The union said Dlamini was a policeman by training and service.
In the early 90s, he was elected as a councillor at the borough of Howick municipality (now the Umgeni local municipality).
He also served as the council’s deputy council clerk (deputy mayor).
He was later elected as the union’s regional secretary and deputy provincial chairperson till he climbed up to being the union’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson.
He was also Cosatu deputy provincial chairperson in the province.
Dlamini was elected in 2012 as Samwu’s first deputy president till 2019.
He was elevated to the Union’s president position via election in Mangaung in April 2019.
“We lower our banners in honour of Comrade John, we salute him for the dedication, love, passion and commitment that he had for Samwu, its members and workers in general.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the Dlamini family, friends, colleagues, members and municipal workers in general,” the union said.
The union said that his funeral and memorial service arrangements will be disclosed after his family makes the decision.
