Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa pays tribute to Motjeka Madisha

Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana defender Motjeka Madisha died on Sunday morning after a horrific car accident.

ONE OF TWO OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR

The 25-year-old was one of two occupants of a car that lost control, hit an advertising board and burst into flames in eastern Johannesburg, according to an official, who requested anonymity.

“I spoke to someone who arrived at the crash scene soon after the accident and he described a horrific scene with one body burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

“Motjeka apparently managed to crawl out of the burning vehicle, but was declared dead by medical personnel at the scene of the accident.”

Madisha is the second Mamelodi Sundowns defender to have died in a car accident within two months after Anele Ngcongca was killed near Durban.

READ | HORRIFIC IMAGES EMERGE FROM CAR CRASH – NSFW

Madisha was capped 13 times by South Africa on the back of becoming a first-choice centre-back in a Sundowns team that has been among the strongest in Africa during the past five years.

Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa was quick to pay tribute to Madisha.

“Today, we woke up to the news of the untimely passing of Mamelodi Sundowns defender and Bafana Bafana centre-back, Modjeka Madisha, who lost his life in a car accident.

“This is a very sad and painful period in South African football, which has now lost two outstanding players, as this past week we buried Anele Ngcongca in Cape Town, who also perished in a car accident. 

“Madisha, who was only 25-years-old, was an extremely gifted player. He was a model professional and one of the most promising footballers in the country. Another family has lost a son and a breadwinner. We express our deepest sympathy to the family of Madisha, Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and to the nation at large.

“The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has been hard-hit by the news of this tragedy. Our prayers are with Madisha’s family, friends and team-mates during this very difficult time.”