Emalahleni Local Municipality’s mayor and husband die in car crash
The Mpumalanga ANC and government have been dealt a heavy blow following the tragic death of Emalahleni Local Municipality's mayor, Cllr Linah Malatjie.
According to police information, she and her husband, Esau Malatjie, both died when their vehicle was involved in a tragic car crash in the early hours of Monday January 3.
Confirming the news to Caxton’s Lowveld Media was the ANC’s provincial spokesperson, Sasekani Manzini, who said they were deeply saddened and still in shock.
“The ANC has received with sadness, shock and a degree of disbelief the news of the passing on of Cde Linah Malatjie and her husband in a tragic car accident. At the time of her untimely passing, she was employed as the executive mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality and served in the provincial executive committee of the provincial ANC. We join the people of Mpumalanga and Emalahleni, members and supporters of the ANC, all those who shared their lives with Cde Linah in one way or another, her family and friends in mourning this dedicated servant of the people,” she said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the Malatjie family, especially her kids, who lost both their parents in this tragic accident. The leadership of the ANC in the province will engage the Malatjie family and in consultation with them, arrange dignified events to honour the memory of Cde Linah and all she stood for as an activist,” continued Manzini.
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Upon receiving the news, the Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, paid a visit to the Malatjie family.
She said the provincial government was devastated by the news of Malatjie’s passing.
“We are still reeling in shock over the sad news of the executive mayor’s passing. Her passing has robbed not only her family of a mother, but the municipality and the entire province of a leader with a wealth of experience in local government,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane.
Malatjie’s experience in local government included serving as a municipal manager and later as executive mayor of the Nkangala District Municipality, before her election as the executive mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality.
Mtshweni-Tsipane lamented Malatjie’s passing at a time when the country is mourning the passing of former Anglican bishop Desmond Tutu.
She remembered Malatjie as one of her mentors in the political arena in Emalahleni.
The MEC responsible for community safety, security and liason, Vusi Shongwe, who has also sent his condolences to the family, said government will continue to work hard in their bid to end road carnages in Mpumalanga.
