City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Geoff Makhubo paid his respects to the Dube family after their son Gontse was killed in a road accident involving a Metro police officer on 24 June.
According to a statement released by the City, the details surrounding the accident are subject to an internal Metro police investigation. ‘It’s believed Dube was with four other children when he was knocked [down] by a car driven by an off-duty JMPD officer,’ read the statement. Makhubo described the 13-year-old Gontse as a ‘burgeoning tree whose life was cut short ahead of its prime’.
Makhubo visited the family in Soweto together with the MEC of Public Safety Mally Mokoena, senior members of Metro police and the MECs of Transport Nonhlanhla Makhuba and Community Development Margaret Arnolds.
Speaking to the family, Makhubo said, “Words fail to describe the harrowing pain you’re feeling and to comfort you during this time, but we are truly sorry for your loss.” He pledged the City’s support to the family and affirmed that the law would take its course. The four other children involved in the incident sustained minor injuries and were recovering at home.