According to his office, the mayor of Johannesburg died in a car accident on Saturday, just over a month after being elected, as he returned from campaigning with South Africa's president.

When the tragedy occurred, Jolidee Matongo, 46, returned from a voter registration drive in Soweto township before local elections.

In a tweet, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, "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,"

"Nothing could prepare any of us for this sudden loss, which has deprived our nation's economic center of its second Executive Mayor in two months."

Matongo was elected on August 10 after his predecessor died of Covid-19 problems in July.

Premier of Gauteng David Makhura, who was also at the Soweto voter registration campaign, described himself as "shocked and shattered." by the news.

"[Matongo] executed his duties with a cool and calm demeanor and remained committed to selflessly serving the citizens of Johannesburg," he continued.

Photos of Ramaphosa and Matongo walking about Soweto earlier in the afternoon, Matongo clad in a bright yellow tracksuit with the African National Congress party's emblem on it, were shared on social media by the two men.

According to the City of Johannesburg's website, Matongo was born in Soweto and joined the ANC Youth League after getting involved in student politics at the age of 13.

More information on the accident will be provided "in due time." according to Matongo's office.