Thembi Mthembu, the widow of late Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, died on Thursday morning.

The Mthembu family confirmed that she died in a Pretoria hospital. She was 51.

Mthembu's brother, Michael, told News24 the cause of death was not made known to the family and added that the family would release a statement.

He said: We have not yet met with the family of Thembi and once we have met with them, we will discuss the arrangements going forward.

Thembi worked as a nurse at a local clinic. 

News24 understands that she was ill for some time.

Jackson Mthembu died at the age of 61 in January last year, following Covid-19-related complications.

He was buried in his hometown of Emalahleni in Mpumalanga.

The African National Congress (ANC) extended the party's condolences to the family. 

"Mrs Mthembu served the public health service as a nurse in Mbombela, Mpumalanga as well as in Pretoria, a job that she greatly cherished. Her family had also confirmed that her affection to the nursing profession brought her much closer to the community," it said in a statement on Thursday.

The party said Thembi would have turned 52 at the end of the month.

"The ANC extends its deepest condolences to the late Jackson and Thembi Mthembu's children, family, friends and colleagues as they navigate through this difficult period. May they find solace in knowing that their loss is the nation's loss. May her soul rest in peace," it said.