Moqhaka spokesperson, Dika Kheswa, tells OFM News Moletsane will continue acting as Mayor of the municipality, which includes Viljoenskroon and Kroonstad, until further notice. The 49-year-old Phooko succumbed to a short illness on Monday morning, whilst on his way to the Pax Clinic seeking medical attention. Kheswa says it was Phooko himself who appointed Moletsane to act on his behalf as Moqhaka Mayor, shortly before he died.  

Kheswa says details regarding the burial are yet to be announced. “We would like to give the family an opportunity to grieve and make proper arrangements. Any other developments will be communicated in due course,” says Kheswa. He adds that due processes with regards to the council need to be followed, this includes convening a council meeting and officially pronouncing Phooko’s death there.

The cause of the 49-year old mayor’s death is unknown. It is confirmed that a post-mortem will be performed.

Phooko occupied the position of Council Whip of Moqhaka in 2016, then took over the Executive Mayor role of the Free State municipality from the now MEC of Public Works and Human Settlements in the province, Tshidi Koloi, in 2019. During his short tenure at the helm, he oversaw the return of the Mayoral Games in 2019, four years after they were phased out. 

In his first interview with OFM News, during his first 100 days in office, Phooko said the return of the games was aimed at “bringing the community together, also to make sure there are stability and unity”. At the time of his death, Phooko was also the Free State chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco).

OFM News