Department spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi says John Hlangeni, an elder at Global Reconciliation Church, tested positive for COVID-19 - which was further exacerbated by an underlying illness. According to Mvambi, Hlangeni, who was hospitalised along with his 81-year-old wife, died on Monday morning at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. 

This is the province’s first recorded death. Media reports indicate Hlangeni attended the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast and dinner at Divine Restoration Church in Bloemfontein from 10 to 11 May, and is believed to have come into contact with five internationals who attended the event from the United States, Israel and France who later tested positive. 

Mvambi makes no mention of this in his interview with OFM News, only confirming Hlangeni’s affiliation to the Global Reconciliation Church.

This church’s senior pastor, Mohau Rammile, announced last week that he had tested positive for the virus and urged members of his congregation to get screened and tested as a matter of urgency. Hlangeni was admitted to Pelonomi over the weekend.

Two more Bloemfontein churches, Eagle Christian Church Restoration Centre located in the Bloemanda township and Word to the World Ministry, under Pastor Andile Somtseu, have also been affected by the outbreak after their respective church leaders attended the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast and later tested positive for Covid-19.

Mvambi says Hlangeni’s wife is in a stable condition at Pelonomi and will receive the necessary support from the department. Regarding her testing positive for the Coronavirus, Mvambi confirms she was tested but declined to divulge her test results.

OFM News reported earlier that Mkhize – while addressing the nation on Covid-19 – flagged Mangaung, which includes Bloemfontein, as well as Sandton in Gauteng, as potential epicenters of the virus in South Africa.

OFM News