Esme Jood

Esme Jood

A senior official in the North West Department of Local Government and Housing deployed at the Mamusa municipality was found dead in a hotel in Vryburg last week.

George Williams, 59, a financial advisor at the department, had been with the Mamusa municipality in Schweizer- Reineke for seven months.

The North West local government and housing MEC, Phenye Vilakazi, said no foul play was suspected at this stage.

Vilakazi sent his condolences to the Williams family and said Williams' death was a loss for the province.

"Williams was doing a great job for the Mamusa municipality," Vilakazi said.

Police spokesman Captain Job Mothibi said, according to his family, Williams suffered from a diabetes-related illness. He said Williams' body had no injuries indicating any form of assault.

"His brother from the Eastern Cape was expected to fetch his body on Thursday," Mothibi said.

Mamusa municipal manager Seth Ramagaga, said the municipality still had to confirm the funeral arrangements with the family.

The Mamusa municipality was in the spotlight last year when two mayors were appointed. Dingaan Rantsho was elected by the mayoral committee and Deliwe Chope was elected by the ANC. Rantsho later resigned as mayor.