MASERU — Former principal secretary in the Prime Minister’s office, Kubutu Makhakhe, died on Monday after a short illness.
A family spokesperson, Lebohang Makhakhe, said his brother died after complaining of a cold.
Lebohang said the family was shocked by Makhakhe’s sudden death.
“I was at Thaba-Tseka when I received the news. I rushed to Maseru where I was told by his wife that he had died after visiting a number of doctors,” he said.
Makhakhe reportedly died as the doctor was preparing to see him.
Lebohang said Makhakhe was in a jovial mood and looking healthy a day before he died.
“We just don’t know what could have triggered his sudden illness,” Lebohang said, adding that they were still waiting for a postmortem to establish the cause of death.
Makhakhe held a Masters Degree in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa.
He was appointed editor of the National Assembly’s Hansard in 1984.
Between 1986 and 1992 he worked as a senior reporter in the then Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
In 1996 he was appointed Director of Information in the Cabinet Secretariat before he was appointed principal secretary in 2001, a position he held until last year when he was suspended on allegations of corruption.
His contract came to an end last year and was not renewed.
Makhakhe hogged the limelight last year after he and four other officials in Prime Minister’s office were suspended for allegedly manipulating tender procedures to benefit companies which they were allegedly connected to.
Makhakhe died while he was still awaiting an appeal against the dismissal.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
