JOHANNESBURG, Sept 19, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - The mayor of Johannesburg was

killed in a car accident as he returned from campaigning with South Africa's
president on Saturday, just over a month after being elected, his office said
in a statement.

   Jolidee Matongo, 46, was returning from a voter registration drive in
Soweto township ahead of local elections when the accident happened.

   "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," President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a tweet.

   "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."

   Matongo's predecessor died from Covid-19 complications in July, and
Matongo was elected on August 10.

   Gauteng province premier David Makhura, who was also at the Soweto voter
registration drive, said the news had left him "shocked and shattered".

   "(Matongo) executed his duties with a cool and calm demeanour and remained
committed to selflessly serving the citizens of Johannesburg," he added.

   Photos posted on social media by Ramaphosa and Matongo himself from
earlier in the afternoon showed the two men walking around Soweto talking to
residents, Matongo dressed in a bright yellow tracksuit with the African
National Congress party's logo on it.

   Matongo was born in Soweto, according to the City of Johannesburg's
website, and became a member of the ANC Youth League after taking up student
politics at the age of 13.

   Matongo's office said more details on the accident would be released "in
due time".