Former Newcastle Mayor and senior KwaZulu-Natal political figure, Dr Nkululeko Ntuthuko Mahlaba, passed away on Saturday, 4 July 2026, after being struck by a vehicle while jogging along Allen Street in Newcastle.
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has confirmed his passing, expressing profound shock, grief and heartbreak at the loss of one of its most prominent leaders.
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Providing further detail on the circumstances surrounding his death, the ANC stated:
“Cde Mahlaba met his untimely and tragic end early this morning (4 July 2026) following a horrific road accident when he was struck by a vehicle while jogging in Newcastle in the morning. The news of his sudden departure has cast a dark, painful, and impenetrable cloud over the entire province and the broader liberation movement. We are frozen in disbelief that a life so full of vigour, promise, and revolutionary commitment could be extinguished so abruptly at the dawn of the morning.”
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Sboniso Duma, also commented on the matter, saying:
“Our Road Traffic Inspectorate and local traffic departments will allow the South African Police Service to handle this matter and do all the necessary investigations as per the normal procedure.”
Duma further noted that the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) had informed him that Dr Mahlaba was struck by a vehicle along Allen Street in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.
“Based on our figures, this is a major road network that is critical for economic development in Newcastle and is used by more than 60 000 cars and heavy-duty vehicles daily. The busy and highly active route is also used by workers, ordinary members of society, and private companies operating in different sectors of the economy. These include the global steel and mining company ArcelorMittal,” stated MEC Duma.
At the time of his passing, the ANC said Dr Mahlaba was serving as a Member of the Provincial Task Team (PTT), a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), and the Chairperson of Committees, also known as Chair of Chairs, in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.
In this role, as per the ANC, he was regarded for his understanding of parliamentary processes and his measured approach to legislative oversight.
Dr Mahlaba’s political career spanned several senior leadership roles. He previously served as Mayor of Newcastle Municipality and later held executive positions as MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, as well as MEC for Public Works and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal.
Furthermore, the ANC noted:
“He was a foundational pillar of the Provincial Leadership, the long-standing and undisputed Chairperson of the ANC in the Mbuso Kubheka Region (formerly eMahlaleni), and a former fearless Chairperson of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and the former ANC Provincial Treasurer.”
The party further underscored the impact of his leadership, adding:
“His leadership of the Mbuso Kubheka Region solidified the ANC’s footprint in the hinterlands of our province. He led from the front, serving previously as the Executive Mayor of Newcastle Local Municipality and later as a Provincial MEC, leaving an indelible mark on infrastructure development and community upliftment. In his latest deployment as Chair of Chairs in the KZN Legislature, he demonstrated absolute fairness, parliamentary astuteness, and an unshakeable adherence to holding governance accountable to the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal.”
The ANC has extended its condolences to Dr Mahlaba’s family, including his wife, Dr Busi Mahlaba, their children, and members of the Mbuso Kubheka Region.
While investigations continue, Dr Mahlaba’s death has brought renewed attention to pedestrian safety along high-traffic urban routes such as Allen Street, where daily economic activity intersects with routine public use.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know below.
My condolences to all who loved Dr Mahlaba. Unfortunately cyclists and runners are very vulnerable in our country. It doesn’t matter who is in the right or wrong a cyclist or person will always come off worse in a collision with a vehicle. An unnecessary tragedy!
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My condolences to all who loved Dr Mahlaba. Unfortunately cyclists and runners are very vulnerable in our country. It doesn’t matter who is in the right or wrong a cyclist or person will always come off worse in a collision with a vehicle. An unnecessary tragedy!