Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s official vehicle was involved in a fatal collision on the N1 near Bela-Bela after a woman carrying a baby and walking with another child allegedly attempted to cross the highway following an earlier accident in which her husband was killed.
Police confirmed that the incident occurred on Saturday, May 9, and that the state vehicle was being driven by a member attached to the Protection Security Services (PSS).
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said preliminary investigations indicate the woman was crossing the highway with her two children, one strapped to her back, shortly after her husband was allegedly struck and killed by a vehicle driven by an off-duty police officer.
According to Mathe, the woman and her children were trying to reach the scene of the earlier crash when the second fatal incident unfolded.
“A preliminary investigation suggests that a woman was attempting to cross the road with her two children, one of whom was strapped to her back. The trio was attempting to get to the other side of the road to attend to an earlier incident in which the woman's husband was allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by an off-duty police officer and died at the scene.”
Mathe said the minister’s official vehicle subsequently collided with the woman and her children as they crossed the highway.
“It is further alleged that while crossing the road, the woman and her children were involved in a collision with the Minister’s official vehicle. Tragically, the mother and baby succumbed to their injuries,” she said.
Police said Motsoaledi, his close protection officer and the driver immediately stopped at the scene and remained there until emergency services and police arrived. Witness statements were later collected as investigations into both fatal incidents continue.
Mathe also confirmed that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has taken over the investigation, as both drivers involved in the separate crashes are SAPS members.
The SAPS extended condolences to the bereaved family following the sequence of tragic events.
The Star