A Fochville resident has died following a collision with a local politician’s vehicle over the weekend.
Adderley Parau (36) was travelling home from work in Carletonville on the evening of May 23, when his motorcycle collided with a red Ford double-cab bakkie near Fountain Private Hospital.

The vehicle belonged to Elvis Mphitikezi, the Speaker of the Merafong City Local Council.

The accident occurred at around 19:00. Parau’s motorbike struck the driver’s side of the bakkie, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Mphitikezi did not sustain any serious injuries. Carletonville Police are currently investigating a case of culpable homicide, as the exact circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear.

Parau was a highly respected member of the Scorpions Rugby Club. Joe Bosch, the club’s manager, described him as a thoroughly good and honest person who always helped others. Parau had been scheduled to play for the club’s first team in a league match against Soweto the following day. Instead, his teammates held a short vigil for him before the start of Saturday’s match.

Friends have launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign to support Parau’s wife, Samantha, and their three young children: a nine-year-old daughter, a five-year-old son, and a two-month-old baby boy.

Parau was the sole breadwinner for his family.

“They are a young family, loving, caring, and always lending a hand to whoever needs it. Now it is they who need every single bit of help they can get,” the post of the campaign reads.

Residents who want to help the family can find the BackaBuddy page here.