The South African Comrades Marathon team is mourning the untimely passing of the 2023 half-marathon champion Mbuleli Mathanga. He passed away yesterday. His body was found hanging in his house.

In a statement released by the Comrade Marathon team, they said, "It is with immense sadness that we have been notified that our 2023 half-marathon champion, Mbuleli Mathanga, has passed away this morning. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, running mates, and Phantane Club mates. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this deeply challenging time." The statement further said Mbuleli will be remembered for his triumph as an extraordinary winner, who inspired all who knew him with his unwavering passion for the sport of road running and his unfailing commitment to always giving the best.

The Ndwedwe born runner, in the north of Durban, was allegedly found hanging with laces of his running shoes. Police said an inquest docket had been opened. "It is alleged a man was found hanging from the roof of his girlfriend’s room," Ndwedwe police said in a statement. "It is alleged the couple had an argument. The deceased was found hanging from the laces of his running shoes and had an open wound at the back of his head." The 29-year-old had been preparing to compete in the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km race on Sunday. Mathanga won the South African 10,000m crown in 2021 and 2022 and represented the country at the African championships in Mauritius last year and at the World Cross-Country Championships in Australia in February. He also competed abroad, finishing third in the Roma-Ostia half-marathon in October 2021.