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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 80108, member: 636"]
A prominent South African political figure has died shortly before facing trial on corruption charges. Thamsanqa Brian Hlongwa, a former ANC chief whip in the Gauteng legislature and one-time provincial health MEC, passed away at sixty following a brief illness. His death occurred just months before his scheduled court appearance on serious allegations, including fraud and money laundering related to his tenure in the health department.

Hlongwa's political career began in the anti-apartheid struggle, where he was active in Soweto youth organizations and later served on Nelson Mandela's security detail. He transitioned into government after democracy, holding significant positions, including a term as Gauteng's Health MEC. His later years were dominated by legal troubles stemming from a major investigation into irregular contracts worth over a billion rand during his leadership of the health portfolio.

The ANC in Gauteng praised his early activism and contributions to political education, offering condolences to his family. His passing closes a complex chapter marked by both his role in the liberation movement and the substantial corruption charges that remained unresolved at the time of his death.
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