As messages of condolences continue to pour in following the tragic death of Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Jolidee Matongo, his comrade, and Ekurhuleni mayor, Mzwandile Masina says his death could destabilise the party.
Masina says they now have to relook the process of choosing a new mayor after the death of two of the city’s mayors in a short space of time.
“The demise of comrade Joli means that there is now no mayoral committee that must bring items to the council. This, in my view, will destabilise us because now we must begin to think about what does the law say. Can we put another mayor? Will it help us to unite as the ANC? All those things are beginning to be issues that will preoccupy us. But for now, one can only call for calm amongst the comrade and this is a storm that will pass, but it’s very sad indeed.”
RIP Jolidee Matongo | Tributes continue to pour in for Johannesburg executive mayor:
Matongo, aged 46, passed away in a motor vehicle accident on Saturday.
The incident happened after Matongo participated in a local government voter registration drive in Soweto, alongside President Ramaphosa.
Matongo was elected unopposed to this position on 10 August 2021, following the passing of his predecessor, Geoff Makhubo, a month earlier.
Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to Mayor Matongo’s family, friends, colleagues and comrades, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg.
In a statement, the president says, “It is hard to comprehend this tragedy, given the vitality and passion with which Mayor Matongo interacted with me and residents of Soweto so shortly before his death. Nothing could prepare any of us for this sudden loss, which has deprived our nation’s economic centre of its second executive mayor in two months.”
Samkele Maseko updates on the mayors’ death:
