The African National Congress (ANC) in Nkangala Region has confirmed the demise of Emalahleni mayor, Linah Malatjie in a car crash.
Malatjie died on Sunday night alongside her husband, Esau Malatjie.
The accident happened along the R544 road between Gemsbokspruit and Verena in Mpumalanga.
ANC regional spokesperson Sello Matshoga said:
“The mayor was in a private vehicle that collided with a Ford Ranger Bakkie. The Ford Ranger was allegedly driving at high speed and the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit them. It was a head-on collision, the driver of the Ford Ranger died on impact.”
The Malatjies died in hospital an hour after they arrived. Matshoga explained that the mayor’s death leaves a void in the ANC and in government in the province.
“The ANC will remember her as a committed activist who served in our structures in various capacities. She belonged to a generation of post-apartheid activists who gave impetus to our struggle beyond the unbanning. A vociferous opponent of gender inequality and discrimination, throughout her activism Linah was in the forefront of the struggle towards the advancement of women emancipation and empowerment,” said Matshoga.
Malajtie worked as a teacher and later as a deputy principal. She was a site steward in the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) and severed as an education and gender convener for the greater Highveld Region.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has conveyed his condolences saying he had learnt of her passing with sadness.
“This is yet another tragic passing of South Africans on our roads since the start of the festive season,” he said