South African Football Asscoation (Safa) is mourning the passing on of National Executive Committee (NEC) member Mzimkhulu Ndlelo, who died on Wednesday.

He was former President of SAFA Chris Hani Region in the Eastern Cape and was selected as a member of the highest football decision making body in the country eight years ago.

Safa Vice President Xolile Nkompela said he was shocked at the passing on of this distinguished soccer administrator.

“We are still shocked by the sudden passing on of Ndlelo, a very quite and reserved man. He was dedicated to the game and served it with passion.

Nkompela hailed Ndelelo as a great administrator who served his country whole heatedly.

“We have lost a great football leader in Ndlelo, especially in the Eastern Cape where the need for development is greater. He was a football giant as far as football administration is concerned,” said Vice President, Xolile Nkompela.

“We would like to take this opportunity to convey our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues in the SAFA Council. May all be comforted during these trying times and may his beautiful soul rest in peace,” added Nkompela

Safa national spokesman Dominic Chimhavi also mourned Ndlelo who is believed to have shot dead his ANC councillor fiancée Babalwa Ndika, 30, before turning the gun on himself.

“He was a very quiet and reserved man who minded his own business. We are shocked as the organisation and we will seek more details as we are in the dark at the moment,” Chimhavi said.

A profile from Safa official portal indicate Ndlelo as a former footballer who started his career way back in 1979 before hanging up his boots. He later became a manager and coach of Citizen Football Club in Queenstown, Eastern Cape.

In 1992 he became a member of the Queenstown District Football Association, before assuming the position of General Secretary five years later – the same year he formed his own club, the New Nation Superstars Football Club.

It was in 1999 when he was appointed the President of the Queenstown District Football Association and a year later was elected into the SAFA-Border Executive Committee.

In 2005 he became the President of the Lukhanji Football Association, and the President of SAFA-Chris Hani Region in 2006.