South African Minister Aaron Motsoaledi Speaks Out After Zimbabwean Family Killed on N1
A Zimbabwean family has been plunged into mourning following a devastating series of road accidents along South Africa’s N1 highway near Bela-Bela in Limpopo that claimed the lives of three relatives in a matter of minutes.
The victims were identified as Paul Masunda, his wife Beauty Shoperai and one of their young children. The incidents unfolded on Saturday and involved two separate vehicles, including one linked to South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi.
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First Collision Claims Father’s Life
According to South African police, Masunda was attempting to cross the busy highway after escorting his wife and children to a bus station when he was struck by a vehicle allegedly driven by an off-duty South African Police Service officer.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the family’s 14-year-old child witnessed the collision and immediately alerted the mother.
Shoperai reportedly rushed back towards the scene carrying another child on her back as panic and confusion unfolded on the roadside.
Mother and Child Killed Moments Later
Tragedy struck again moments later when another vehicle, belonging to Minister Motsoaledi’s security convoy, allegedly hit the mother and child as they crossed the highway.
Authorities said the vehicle was being driven by a member of the minister’s Protection Security Services unit.
Both Shoperai and the child died at the scene, leaving the surviving teenager traumatised after witnessing the deaths of both parents and a sibling within a short space of time.
Police confirmed that Minister Motsoaledi, his close protection officer and the driver stopped immediately after the accident and remained at the scene until emergency personnel arrived.
Police Open Investigations
South African authorities have since opened two separate culpable homicide cases as investigations into the circumstances surrounding both crashes continue.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the matter was now in the hands of the police.
Motsoaledi also conveyed his condolences to the grieving family.
“Minister Motsoaledi would like to extend his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased on the tragic loss of their loved ones,” Mohale said.
Family Struggling to Cope
Relatives in both Zimbabwe and South Africa said they were still struggling to come to terms with the shocking loss.
Family spokesperson Charles Shoperai described his sister as the family’s pillar and primary breadwinner.
He said the tragedy had left relatives devastated, adding that he only learnt about the deaths after receiving calls from people who were at the scene.
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