​The Executive Mayor, Geoff Makhubo has described 13-year-old Gontse Dube as a burgeoning tree whose life was cut short ahead of its prime.

Makhubo visited the Dube family to pay respects following their son's tragic death in a road accident that involved a JMPD officer in Soweto, on Saturday, 27 June.

Details surrounding the accident are subject to an internal JMPD probe but it's believed Dube was with four other children when he was knocked dead by a car driven by an off-duty JMPD officer. His friends sustained minor injuries during the crash and are recovering at home.

Makhubo visited the Dube family alongside Members of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety (Mally Mokoena), Transport (Nonhlanhla Makhuba) and Community Development (Margaret Arnolds).

The Mayor and MMCs were accompanied by senior members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

“Tshidisehang lelapa la Dube (be comforted). The law will take its course," said the mayor in a poignant address to the family.

Makhubo says he's saddened by the death of Dube, who like any child, would've shown great potential to become a responsible adult.

“Words fail to describe the harrowing pain you're feeling and to comfort you during this time, but we are truly sorry for your loss," said Makhubo.

He told the Dube family that his is a caring government.

“As the government of local unity we wish to assure residents of our most genuine commitment to delivering services and extending support to the vulnerable and affected during this difficult period exacerbated by the pandemic," he said.