SCORES gathered at the San Kopano Community Hall in Alexandra, Joburg, to pay tribute to late former mayor Mpho Moerane during a memorial service.
Many who took to the podium described him as a selfless leader who was helpful to other people.
Friend Moshe More painted the scene of the accident that took Moerane’s life – after being trapped in the car.
READ: MEC Maile: Moerane was one of our own!
“I received a call soon after the accident. I left home and rushed to the scene, where I found Moerane trapped in the wreckage of the car. Being who he was, he asked: ‘Why did you come so late?’ I told him that it took me about 10 minutes. And he said: ‘Pull me out of this car; get me out of here’.”
More added: “Watching my brother suffering, I reached out and tried to get him out, but the security personnel said I should not touch him as I could injure his spine.”
He said he then went to get an ambulance.
“Moerane was talking throughout; he gave me instructions to look for his phone, wallet and bag while he was in pain. Even in that state, he still wanted to assert his authority on some of us,” said More.
Former speaker of the Joburg Council Nonceba Molwele said this was a sombre moment.
“We didn’t expect this. I never thought I would be here, talking about Moerane as a late person. It is very difficult to accept that.”
She added she had welcomed him after the death of two mayors within a short space of time.
“We worked very well together. I was supposed to do oversight as the head of legislature over the executive but Moerane would invite me to his programme on the ground.”
The funeral service will also be held in Alexandra on Sunday, 22 May.
