Questions over fatal Sol car crash
Wreckage of the vehicle that was involved in an accident near Christiana on June 25. Picture: Supplied
QUESTIONS have arisen over the circumstances surrounding the death of the driver and the bodyguard of the Speaker of Sol Plaatje Municipality, who died in a motor vehicle accident near Christiana on June 25.
The deceased were en route to fetch the Speaker from Johannesburg at the time of the incident.
The police have confirmed that two passengers who were also travelling in the Mercedes-Benz with registration plate Sol 2 NC were also killed in the accident.
North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone stated that four people – two South Africans and two Zimbabwean nationals died in the accident.
“Investigations are under way to ensure that the two Zimbabwean nationals are formally identified,” said Mokgwabone.
He indicated that the cause of the accident was also still under investigation.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that two sedans and a truck collided. A case of culpable homicide has been opened.”
The chairperson of the Northern Cape Civics Organisation, Ross Henderson, queried why the Speaker had not taken a flight back to Kimberley.
“Sol Plaatje Municipality must be transparent and inform the public about who authorised the trip, what the purpose of the trip was, whether the officials were off-duty and precisely why they were summoned to fetch the Speaker from Johannesburg,” said Henderson.
He pointed out that it was not protocol to transport persons who were not employees in the official vehicle.
“Was permission obtained to give the two passengers a lift and who gave the instruction to the employees to drive to Johannesburg? The municipality could be held liable for the fatalities.”
The CEO of the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nocci), Sharon Steyn, believed the public should be made aware of whether the Speaker was on an official business trip or was travelling in her personal capacity.
“Did Sol Plaatje pay for the air tickets and why did she have to be collected in Johannesburg?”
“The municipality must inform ratepayers if they will have to fund the replacement of Sol 2 NC if the insurance claim is not paid out,” said Steyn.
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet indicated that the Speaker was attending a conference in her official capacity.
“The deceased, who were employees who were based in the Speaker’s Office, are members of pension funds and will receive the normal benefits due to them as employees of the municipality. We are fully supporting the families as an employer and will ensure that their loved ones are buried with dignity,” said Riet.
She added that they were waiting for a detailed report into what caused the accident.
“We will co-operate fully with the law enforcement agencies with the ongoing investigation. We have no details as to how the two passengers got into the car. For now we can only confirm that two employees were travelling in the vehicle.”
Riet did not detail whether insurance would cover the replacement of the Mercedes-Benz that suffered extensive damages.
The DA had intended asking questions about the Speaker's trip at a council meeting that was schedule to take place this week. The meeting was, however, postponed until further notice due to the death of the two officials.