The Gauteng legislature has sent its condolences to the family and friends of the City of Johannesburg Mayor, Jolidee Matongo, who died on Saturday night.

Legislature speaker Ntombi Mekgwe described Matongo as "an ethical and civic-minded leader of the African National Congress" who will be "remembered for his hard work and dedication in the service to his people". 

She added that, "On behalf of the Gauteng legislature, we send our heartfelt condolences to the executive mayor's family, comrades and people of the City of Johannesburg. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them in this time of grief."

Mekgwe said members of the legislature were left "deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely death of the newly-elected executive mayor of Johannesburg, who was a committed and selfless servant of the people of the city". 

The provincial speaker hailed Matongo as an ethical leader and added that the provincial leadership had still been expecting much from Matongo, especially around his passion for "improving the living conditions of the poor and destitute in Johannesburg".

Gauteng Premier David Makhura also paid tribute to Matongo on Sunday, saying the mayor was a committed and selfless activist who dedicated his time to serving the people.

He added that Matongo had served as a councillor for many years before being elected mayor.

"I spent more time with the mayor in the past week starting on Thursday, as we joined the police on Operation O Kae Mola, we went to engage with communities in Soweto, emphasising the importance of vaccinating as we continue to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic," said Makhura.

The former mayor will be buried on Friday. 

Matongo died in a fatal car crash after conducting a local government voter registration drive in Soweto.

The mayor's bodyguard and driver were injured in the crash, while a pedestrian and the driver of another vehicle also died.

Matongo had been elected as mayor five weeks ago, following the death of then mayor Geoff Makhubo due to Covid-19 complications.

The ANC in the region had engaged its legal team, the provincial department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the provincial department's legal team to seek legal advice on whether the region would need to proceed with the process to elect a new mayor or go into the local government elections on 1 November without a mayor. 

News24 understands that consensus within the region was that speaker of the City, Nonceba Molwele, will ensure oversight on municipal functions and accountability until such time as the next elected administration takes over.