By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Emalahleni municipality mayor Linah Malatje. Photo:Caxton.
Emalahleni Mayor Linah Malatjie has been killed in a car accident on Monday morning.
It’s unclear where the crash happened but it’s understood that Malatjie was travelling in Mpumalanga with her husband at the time.
He was also killed.
Malatji had been the mayor of Emalahleni since 2018.
In her opening address, she said she will serve the people of Emalahleni. At the time, Malatjie said she drew her inspiration from the late Nelson Mandela.
She quoted Mandela, “We know it very well that none of us acting alone can achieve success, we must therefore act together a united people.”
The ANC in Nkangala Region has sent condolences following the death of the Mayor and said it will remember Malatjie for her commitment as a public servant and struggle activist.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has called for caution on the country’s roads.
“As we head back to our places [of] work, I urge all South Africans driving on our roads to be on high alert and observe all the rules of the road,” said the Minister on Monday.
Mbalula expressed sadness at the passing away of Emalahleni Local Municipality Executive Mayor Linah Malatjie. The mayor and her husband passed away in hospital following a head-on collision. The accident happened along the R544 road between Gemsbokspruit and Verena in Mpumalanga.
The crash resulted in three fatalities with the driver of the second vehicle passing away at the scene.
“This is yet another tragic passing of South Africans on our roads since the start of festive season. I send my sincere condolences to the families of all those involved in this tragic accident and to many that have lived through this terrible experience over the festive season period.
“All these are shared national loss and yet more sad reminders to all of us to be more careful, more caring for each other and more responsible on the roads,”he said.
Meanwhile, traffic law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.