The new mayor of Johannesburg, one of South Africa’s largest cities, has been killed in a car crash. President Cyril Ramaphosa mourned the death.
Jolide Matongo was a member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). He was in the forefront of the party’s campaign for the November 1 local government elections in Johannesburg.
“The premier visited see them in hospital this morning (Sunday). they need been stabilised,” Chauke said.
Johannesburg Metro local department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said a case of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving was opened at the Lenasia South police headquarters and therefore the investigation into the accident was continuing.
Matongo, 46, died within the accident after attending a voter registration campaign earlier on Saturday. Matongo and Makhura spent the day in Soweto on a voter registration campaign, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa
Makhubo died from Covid-19 complications in July.
Paying tribute to the mayor, Ramaphosa said Matongo was looking forward to the government elections on 1 November.
“Nothing could prepare any folks for this sudden loss, which has deprived our nation’s economic centre of its second executive mayor in two months.
“Matongo has been taken from us at a time when he was totally immersed in improving conditions and creating opportunities for all the people of Johannesburg and stakeholders within the metropolitan economy. Like all folks , he was looking forward to the forthcoming election, and that we saw face to face today (Saturday) that he had put his heart and soul into mobilising the people of the town to form their voices heard on 1 November,” Ramaphosa said during a statement on Saturday night.
Former mayor of Johannesburg and leader of ActionSA Herman Mashaba said Matongo had been removed timely .
“I am shocked to listen to of the sudden passing of Johannesburg Mayor Jolidee Matongo. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues within the ANC. Politics should come last in these moments. He was taken far timely ,” Mashaba said during a tweet on Saturday night.
ANC head of elections Fikile Mbalula, who was also in Soweto on Saturday, said Matongo was happy during the voter registration drive, and he couldn’t have imagined the tragedy that might happen later.