Emalahleni mayor, Linah Malatjie dies in car crash

Malatjie died on Sunday night alongside her husband, Esau Malajie.

"The mayor was in a private vehicle that collided with a Ford Ranger Bakkie. The Ford Ranger was allegedly driving at high speed and the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit them. It was a head-on collision, the driver of the Ford Ranger died on impact," said Sello Matshoga, ANC regional spokesperson.

Matshoga said the Malatjies died in hospital an hour after they arrived.

He said the mayor's death leaves a void in the ANC and in government in the province. 

"The ANC will remember her as a committed activist who served in our structures in various capacities. 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 Linah was in the forefront of the struggle towards the advancement of women emancipation and empowerment," said Matshoga.

Malajtie was a site steward in the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) and severed as an education and gender convener for the greater Highveld Region. 

She also worked as a teacher and later as a deputy principal.

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