DA councillor, Biznews contributor Ken Denysschen dies while erecting posters
We mourn tonight with everyone in the Mpofana District tonight after hearing of the death of firebrand DA Councillor Ken Denysschen who was electrocuted while erecting posters for the forthcoming local election. Denysschen was a regular contributor to Biznews, opening a window for the world with his hard-hitting insights into corruption and incompetence in one of the worst run districts in SA. As I recently wrote in the introduction to one of Ken's articles: "There are politicians. And then there's Ken Denysschen. Son of the Durban City midfielder with the same distinctive name, young Ken has the Helen Suzman-like task of injecting sanity in the severely dysfunctional Mpofana Municipality. As the sole Democratic Alliance Councillor, he gets a taste everyday of what Suzman experienced for 13 years as the only MP who totally opposed Apartheid." During our semi-sabbatical in Mooi River I had the privilege of meeting Ken on a few occassions. An outstanding human being who had the courage of his convictions, he fought a lonely battle. He will be missed by all democrats. Desperately. There are links to Ken's Biznews contributions at the bottom of the story. – AH
From the SA Press Association:
A DA councillor was electrocuted while erecting posters for the by-elections in the Mpofana municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, the party said on Friday.
"The Democratic Alliance is devastated by the tragic and needless death of one of its most beloved public representatives, councillor Ken Denysschen," Member of the Provincial Legislature Sizwe Mchunu said in a statement.
"The heartfelt condolences and empathy of the DA… go out to councillor Denysschen's close family, his two sons and daughter, who we will visit today. May God be with you and comfort you in this very difficult time."
The incident happened on Thursday afternoon ahead of the by-elections on November 26.
The Mpofana municipality falls under the Umgeni constituency.
Denysschen served as a councillor in the municipality since 2011.
"He was a very rare person indeed, someone who had a great love of life and infected everyone he met with his boundless enthusiasm and bright hope for the future," said Mchunu.
"He was a virtual icon in the north-Midlands area, being utterly dedicated to the community and getting to know scores of residents through his unrelenting service in the Mpofana Ratepayers and Residents Association."
Source : Sapa /mar/jk/jje
Read Ken Denysschen's fearless and hard hitting contributions to Biznews.com by clicking on the headlines below: