SA mourns Chabane’s death

The African National Congress (ANC) says the passing of Public Service and Administration Minister Collins Chabane will leave a huge void in the party and the government.

It’s understood that Chabane and his protectors Sergeants Sekele and Lentsoane were fatally injured in a car accident on Sunday morning. It’s alleged that the car he was driving in with his two bodyguards was travelling from Polokwane when it collided with a truck that had apparently made a U-turn. The N1 has been closed for traffic.

ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa has described Chabane as a true servant of the people. “His ground-breaking work entrenched accountability and performance measurement as a centre feature of the work of government,” he says.

Kodwa says Chabane made an immeasurable contribution in the policy making processes of the ANC and as the first Minister for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency during the 4th administration.

“Our thoughts and prayers are also with the families and friends of Sergeants Sekele and Lentsoane. May they be comforted in the knowledge that their loss is shared by us all,” adds Kodwa.

“We feel a deep sense of anguish at him being taken away from us so unexpectedly.”

The UDM has expressed its condolences to the family of Public Service and Administration Minister, Collins Chabane. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa has described Chabane as an outstanding leader.

“I wish to convey our condolences to his family and the ANC and friends. Indeed, one can confirm Collins was an officer and a gentleman, a political commissioner par excellence. I worked with him in the ANC. He was a very knowledgeable person. May his soul rest in peace!”

The Congress of the People (COPE) and the Young Communist League (YCL) have also expressed their shock and disbelieve at the news of Chabane’s passing.

“Congress of the People is shocked at the untimely death of Collins Chabane in a car accident,” the party says in a statement.

The party has described Chabane as a hard-working and well-respected minister. “We feel a deep sense of anguish at him being taken away from us so unexpectedly.”

In a statement, the Young Communist League says Chabane was one of the sharpest minds in government. “South Africa this [Sunday] morning wakes up a poorer country as death has robbed us one of the sharpest minds in our government, in the congress movement and an intellectual,” says YCLSA spokesperson, Khaya Xaba.

“We send our deepest condolences to his family, the movement at large and his Marimba band movement,” added Xaba.-Additional reporting by Sapa

– By Tshepiso Moche