Pretoria – KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has expressed shock at the passing away of Public Service and Administration Minister, Collins Chabane.
Minister Chabane and his two protectors - Sgt Lesiba Sekele and Sgt Lawrence Lentsoane – passed away in a car crash on the N1 in Polokwane in the early hours of Sunday. The car they were travelling in is believed to have collided with a truck, although the details of the accident are still being gathered.
“The Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal, wishes to express its deepest condolences to the Chabane family and friends, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma and his entire Cabinet, officials in the Department of Public Service and Administration and to his political home - the African National Congress.
“We are shocked … we wish his family, friends and Cabinet colleagues strength during this difficult time. He was a true democrat who gave his life to the service of our nation,” said Premier Mchunu.
He said Minister Chabane will be remembered as a dedicated servant of the people of South Africa and his immense contribution to the fight for a democratic South Africa.
“We thank him for his contribution in the field of performance art and his service in government as a Member of the Executive Council in Limpopo, and most importantly his legacy in crafting a system of performance monitoring and evaluation as a Minister in the Presidency.
“In every task he was given, he carried himself with grace and humility,” said Premier Mchunu.
Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape, extended the Provincial Government’s condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Minister Chabane, as well as deepest sympathies to the families of the two protectors.
She described Minister Chabane as a dedicated Minister who served government with great commitment.
“I got to know him well when he was Minister in the Presidency in charge of Performance Management and Evaluation, and I respected the quality of his work and his commitment to fairness and openness.
“The tragedy of his death will leave a vacuum in national government that will be hard to fill in his current portfolio. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this difficult time,” said Premier Zille.
*Click here to view our online tribute to Minister Chabane. – SAnews.gov.za
