Public Service minister Collins Chabane, who died in a road accident on the N1 on Sunday.
Image: SABC.
The late minister of Public Services, Collins Chabane, who died in an accident on the weekend, has been described as a unifier and a problem solver by a fellow member of the ruling African National Congress, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha, who was speaking during the occasion of laying wreaths at the party’s Limpopo offices on Monday.
Speaking at the occasion, Mathabatha said Chabane was a ‘political animal’ who joined the party at a young age and had continued to work hard in the various positions that he had occupied. When he spoke about the scene of the accident, he felt that the scene would take a long time to erase from his mind. He added to the family that the Chabanes were not the only ones that had lost by his death, the party had also lost. “You are not [the only] people who are bereaved, we are also bereaved. You are not the only people who are clearing or drying your eyes, ours are also wet. You are not the only people with torn hearts, the ANC’s heart is also torn.” He added that he had not been as weakened by a death as he had been by Chabane’s death.
Public Service Minister Collins Chabane died on Sunday morning when a truck made a U-turn on the N1 near Polokwane, which resulted in the horrible accident that completely damaged the minister’s car, resulting in two other deaths. He was traveling with his bodyguard and driver and they both died instantly. Sergeant Lesiba Sekele and Sergeant Lawrence Lentsoane were killed with the minister in the accident which happened between Polokwane and Mokopane. Late on Sunday, the police confirmed that the driver of the truck had been charged with culpable homicide, adding that there were strong suspicions that he had been drinking alcohol prior to the accident.
The government confirmed that they had opened tag books of condolences at different points around the country. Presidential spokesman, Mac Maharaj said in a statement that mourners could convey their messages at the following places:
- The Union Buildings, Government Avenue, Pretoria
- Tuynhuys, Cape Town
- Parliament, Cape Town
- The department of public service and administration, Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria
- Premier’s office, Limpopo.
