Hlongwa dies en route from Limpopo

“The carnage on our roads cannot continue unabated. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgency with which we must re-imagine road safety as a nation. Our collective commitment to reversing the trend and arresting the escalation of the number of deaths on our roads must be greater.”
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula in a statement issued by the ministry was quoted to have made this remark following the death of Minerals and Energy Deputy Minister Bavelile Hlongwa in an accident on the N1 South on Friday evening. The deputy minister was fatally injured during an incident near the Carousel Toll Plaza while returning to Gauteng after attending an event at the University of Limpopo.
Asking Transport and Community Safety Spokesperson Matome Maremi-Taueatsoala for comment on the accident he indicated that the accident occurred outside Limpopo’s jurisdiction.
He referred the publication to Transport MEC Dickson Masemola’s Spokesperson Joel Seabi for comment on whether measures recently taken on the N1 to reduce accidents and fatalities have been fruitful. Seabi could not be reached and did not respond to any messages left on his mobile phone.
It is alleged that Hlongwa and her security detail had stopped to assist a motorist whose vehicle had overturned. While on the scene with Emergency Medical Services personnel and members of Bakwena Security a flatbed truck reportedly crashed into them. Three people, including Hlongwa, were killed and several others injured.
The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo has also mourned the death of Hlongwa. In a press statement, ANC Provincial Secretary Soviet Lekganyane indicated that Hlongwa was driving from Limpopo where she had attended the inauguration of Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as Chancellor of the University of Limpopo as well as the university’s 60th anniversary celebration.
She was also spending time in Limpopo to attend the African National Congress Youth Leagues’ (Ancyl) 75th anniversary celebrations held at the same university.
“The ANC and the country have lost a true cadre and a caring human being whose political life is heaved with assisting other comrades. She was already making a mark as the Deputy Minister of the Department of Minerals and Energy – an important sector of the economy,” Lekganyane said.
He further remarked that she was a true epitome of a soldier who died with her boots on, and her caring spirit should continue to inspire young South Africans, not to tire from doing good. Her unfortunate death is an exact demonstration that she was a true agent of service to the masses of our people, according to Lekganyane’s statement.
Investigations by the Road Traffic Management Corporation as well as the Police are still in progress.

Story: RC Myburgh
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