Ntuthuko Mahlaba’s death has led to an arrest, after the former Newcastle mayor and ANC leader was struck by a vehicle while jogging in Newcastle on Saturday, 4 July 2026, KwaZulu-Natal police confirmed.
KwaZulu-Natal police have opened a culpable homicide case and arrested the driver who was behind the wheel, as reported by SABC News.
Mahlaba was a former MEC, a serving member of the provincial legislature and an ANC Provincial Task Team member.
How Ntuthuko Mahlaba died while jogging
Mahlaba was jogging in his hometown of Newcastle on the morning of Saturday, 4 July 2026, when a bakkie travelling on Allen Street knocked him down.
A pedestrian had allegedly tried to cross the road, and the driver reportedly attempted to avoid the person before striking Mahlaba, who was declared deceased at a local healthcare facility.
Police have not confirmed whether any charges will follow the arrest, and the culpable homicide investigation remains open. The circumstances that placed the pedestrian in the road have not been verified at the time of publishing, and the driver has not yet appeared in court.
Mahlaba was widely regarded as a rising figure in provincial politics and had held senior roles across local government and the legislature.
His death removes an experienced administrator from an ANC structure in KwaZulu-Natal that has leaned on familiar names to steady its provincial leadership through a turbulent political period.
Tributes pour in after Ntuthuko Mahlaba death
The ANC said the news had cast “a dark, painful and impenetrable cloud over the entire province and the broader liberation movement.”
Mahlaba served as a former mayor of Newcastle Local Municipality and held several MEC portfolios in KwaZulu-Natal, including Public Works and Infrastructure and Sports, Arts and Culture.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica said, “Death has robbed us of a revolutionary doctor, a fearless youth leader, and a disciplined cadre who commanded the respect of friends and political foes alike.”
He added:
“We have lost a titan of the working class. Cde Dr Mahlaba’s life was a masterclass in organic leadership.”
KwaZulu-Natal legislature speaker Nontembeko Boyce said, “We have lost a leader who brought commitment, humility, and a deep sense of service to every responsibility entrusted to him.”
Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli remembered Mahlaba as a dedicated public servant and a disciplined leader who stayed committed to improving the lives of the province’s people.
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is expected to announce funeral and memorial arrangements in the coming days, while police continue their investigation into how the crash unfolded.
Whether the arrested driver faces a formal culpable homicide charge will depend on the outcome of that probe and the evidence gathered at the scene.
