JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Johannesburg mayor Jolidee Matongo was killed in a car accident on Saturday evening, the city announced.
He was 46.
Matongo was returning from a day of campaigning for the ruling African National Congress in Soweto – where he joined President Cyril Ramaphosa – when his BMW X5 collided with a Nissan pick-up truck.
In a statement, the City of Johannesburg said the accident happened in Lenasia, a neighbourhood of Johannesburg.
“Mayor Matongo was travelling with two VIP protectors at the time of the accident. Both protectors sustained injuries,” the statement said, adding that more details about the accident would be released “in due time”.
The SABC reported that the Nissan pick-up truck rammed into Matongo’s chauffeur-driven BMW as the driver tried to avoid hitting a pedestrian in the road.
The mayor normally travels with a blue light escort, but he did not have a convoy at the time, reports said.
President Ramaphosa said: “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.”
Matongo’s father was a Zimbabwean immigrant and his mother South African.
A councillor for many years, Matongo was elected mayor of Johannesburg unopposed only in August. Anti-immigration groups criticised his election but were drowned out by cross-party support for Matongo, noted for his “cool and calm demeanor.”
Gauteng Premier David Makhura said Matongo was a “committed and selfless activist who dedicated his time to serving the people,” adding that his death had left him “shocked and shattered.”
