By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Member of Parliament and ANC member Alice Mthembu has died on Boxing Day after being involved in a car accident in KwaZulu-Natal.
Parliament confirmed her death on Wednesday, saying they were deeply saddened by her sudden passing.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says Mthembu was known as a dedicated and tireless public representative who served her constituency in the KwaZulu-Natal province and the people of South Africa with unwavering commitment and dedication.
“Both inside and outside of Parliament, Mthembu was a dedicated advocate for gender equality and a tireless campaigner for gender perspectives in policy and law-making processes. She wholeheartedly devoted herself to the advancement of women’s rights and the empowerment of marginalized groups, leaving an enduring impact on the quest for a fairer society.”
“We share in the family’s sorrow during this painful period and pay tribute to the memory of an exceptional public servant. As families gather to celebrate the joyous Christmas season, the loss of precious lives on our road’s casts a dark shadow, causing unimaginable pain and grief for countless families. Mthembu’s untimely passing serves as a tragic reminder of the alarming levels of accidents that continue to plague our roads, affecting many families.”
Parliament’s presiding officers offered their support to Mthembu’s family, and said her passing was a tragic reminder of the levels of accidents that continue to plague our roads.
“We share in the family’s sorrow during this painful period and pay tribute to the memory of an exceptional public servant. As families gather to celebrate the joyous Christmas season, the loss of precious lives on our roads casts a dark shadow, causing unimaginable pain and grief for countless families.”
Mthembu served as a member of the National Assembly since 2019 and served diligently in various parliamentary committees, including the Committees on Communications and Digital Technologies, Defence and Military Veterans, as well as the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.