President Jacob Zuma has appointed Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, as the acting Minister of Public Service and Administration.
This follows the tragic death of Minister Collins Chabane in a collision on the N1 in Polokwane on Sunday morning.
President Zuma has extended his condolences to the staff of the Department of Public Service and Administration, who have lost their second minister in a short space of time.
The previous Minister of Public Service and Administration, Roy Padayachie passed away in 2012.
“We are still trying to come to terms with Minister Chabane’s untimely passing and that of his protectors Lesiba Sekele and Lawrence Lentsoane. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, relatives, colleagues and indeed the staff of the department of public service and administration”, says President Zuma.
“He was an intellectual giant with great understanding of what we had to do to free our people from poverty.”
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for Chabane. He will be accorded a special official funeral at a date yet to be announced.
Mineral Resources Minister Ngoaka Ramatlhodi – who recruited Chabane into the African National Congress (ANC) as a teenager – says his sharp intellect and hard work will be missed.
“The current government structure – crafted under his leadership – one of those who participated in contribution of constitution – his monument looms large in our history – he is a son of the soil who left us untimely,” says Ramatlhodi.
Chabane’s colleague Jeff Radebe has described him as a disciplined and dedicated member of the executive.
“He was an intellectual giant with great understanding of what we had to do to free our people from poverty. Minister Chabane was a humble person who would never put himself forward for anything as he often said if I am doing something good, people will be the ones to tell,” says Radebe.
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