Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the family of Warrant Officer Muzwandile Joel Sithole‚ a member of the Presidential Protection Services (PPS) of the South African Police Service (SAPS)‚ who died after a sudden illness in Juba‚ South Sudan‚ on Friday.

Sithole was in the South Sudan capital‚ Juba as part of a team preparing for a working visit by Ramaphosa in his capacity as special envoy of President Jacob Zuma to South Sudan.

“It is with a deep sense of sadness that I have learned of the passing away of Warrant Officer Sithole while on official duty in Juba on Friday‚ 13 May 2016. Warrant Officer Sithole served the South African Police Service (SAPS) with distinction in a very important and valued role. Our thoughts and prayers are with the widow‚ Sibongile Sithole‚ the Sithole family‚ friends and colleagues‚” said Ramaphosa.

“The South African government is working together with the South Sudanese government to ensure that the mortal remains of Warrant Officer Sithole are repatriated this week to South Africa where he will be laid to rest‚” he added.