Veronica Louis Renzi, who served as a member of parliament for 47 years died in Juba on Saturday after a short illness. (Photo credit: Unknown).

Veronica Louis Renzi Tambura, a veteran member of the national parliament who served for 47 years, has died at the age of 73 after a short illness in Juba, a family member has confirmed.

Veronica Tambura was an SPLM-nominated lawmaker – serving in the Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) as a representative of Tambura Country in Western Equatoria State.

Prince Tadeo Mario Sasa, a family member who spoke to Eye Radio on Sunday said the MP died in hospital on October 29, after she collapsed at her house in Juba.

“This is really a very sad moment for us as a family for losing her at this moment,” he said.

“What happened was a sudden death, because she has been fine and working well all along until yesterday morning when she went to the bathroom after brushing and taking tea with the family without any problem.”

Tadeo said a moment later, “we discovered that she had collapsed in the bathroom and when we tried to take her to the hospital, she passed on.’

Prince Tadeo, a royalty of the Azande Kingdom said the actual cause of Veronica’s demise is not known, although initial reports from the doctors indicated she might have suffered a stroke.

“In the report, the doctors mentioned that she had a stroke; that is to say, there is a lot of explanation behind it, maybe it could have been a stroke or high blood pressure.”

Tadeo said the late Veronica, had a long career in legislation having first represented Tambura in the regional assembly in 1975 following the Addis Ababa agreement that ended the Anyanya One war.

He described Veronica was a strong advocate for infrastructural development and had helped built schools in her native Tambura County.

“She was one of the people who championed the building of school infrastructure, especially in Tambura where she helped build Tambura One (Primary) School and Mopio Girl’s School.”

Her remains will be laid to rest in Tambura at yet to be announced date.