Teacher, unionist and mayor Linah Malatjie and husband killed in car crash

Emalahleni mayor Linah Malatjie and her husband Esau Malatjie died in a collision with another vehicle on Sunday night, the ANC has confirmed.

Sello Matshoga, from the party’s Nkangala region, said the crash occurred at about 10.30pm.

The couple was driving between KwaMhlanga and Emalahleni when their car collided with a Ford Ranger bakkie, he said.

“With her incisive mind, sharp wit and easy humour, comrade Linah’s passing leaves a huge void in the ANC and in government.

“She belonged to a generation of post-apartheid activists who gave impetus to our struggle beyond the unbanning. A vociferous opponent of gender inequality and discrimination, throughout her activism comrade Linah was at the forefront of the struggle towards the advancement of women emancipation and empowerment.”

A teacher by profession, Matshoga said Malatjie cut her political teeth in the SA Democratic Teachers' Union and Congress of SA Trade Unions, and the ANC.

The SA Local Government Association (Salga) said Malatjie, who was re-elected as mayor after the November 1 elections, “made an indelible contribution not only to the communities she served but also to the local government sector at large”.

“Serving as a member of the Salga Mpumalanga provincial executive committee (PEC), Mayor Malatjie was an amazing and inspirational leader. Thanks to her rigour, professionalism and immense body of knowledge about local government affairs, which she generously shared, the organisation, municipality and the broader municipal government sector benefited considerably from this, and her passing is a profound loss.”

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