/ 6 March 2006

Daily Sun reporter falls to his death

A Daily Sun newspaper journalist died after falling from the 16th floor of a block of flats in central Johannesburg during the early hours of Sunday morning, police said.

Jonathan Mangena (34) was found lying on the pavement outside his residence at about 3:50am by one of the tenants who heard a strange noise, according to police.

”We do not suspect any foul play at the moment but an inquest docket has been opened,” Johannesburg police spokesperson Captain Schalk Bornman said.

The Daily Sun said in a statement Mangena had been working overtime with colleague Sicelo Dladla on Saturday afternoon.

Dladla said: ”He seemed happy and excited. He said he was off to a party in Soweto.”

Publisher Deon du Plessis and editor Themba Khumalo said: ”Sincere regrets to Jonathan’s family, colleagues and friends. We, like them, loved and appreciated him — both as a person and as a very good reporter. One comfort is that our memories of him are full of warmth and laughter.”

Mangena is survived by his parents, two brothers, a sister and his five-year-old son. – Sapa