The date as well as cause of death remain unknown at this stage. ANC spokesperson, Thabo Meeko says that her untimely death comes as a shock to the organization and she will be remembered for her service and diligence. 

Tsopo served as the ANC Women’s League regional secretary in the Northern Free State, and as a member of the executive council in Free State provincial government where she held several portfolios since 1994 until her later redeployment to the provincial legislature. She worked as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for social development, health and education. Meeko says the ANC is waiting for directives from the family for further details surrounding her death, memorial and funeral.

"The ANC in the Free State is saddened by the untimely passing away of Comrade Ouma Tsopo. Our condolences go to the family and to the people of the Free State as well because Ouma served the people of the Free State in many capacities. Indeed the ANC has lost a soldier in Comrade Ouma as she has served with distinction throughout wherever the ANC deployed her."

In 2004, the Bloemfontein regional court sentenced Tsopo’s husband, Sandile Tsopo, to four years for fraud. Tsopo, his sister Martha Nombulelo Nqulo and Nitja Daniel Makhathini were earlier found guilty of defrauding the Education Department of more than R360 000. Ouma Tsopo was health MEC when her husband was implicated.

Pulane Choane/OFM News