Driver of disaster truck in court

The driver of the truck that claimed Public Service and Administration Minister Collins Chabane's life and those of his two bodyguards, cried uncontrollably when he made eye contact with the devastated family members of the deceased in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning.

Amukelani Rikhotso (30) of Giyani is facing three counts of culpable homicide and one of drunk driving. He entered the court with his head covered by a grey tracksuit.

Representing the Chabane family, Mr Musa Chabane said the family was gradually learning to cope, although they were devastated by the untimely death of the minister. “We appreciate the support we are getting from the public, the ANC and its alliance," said Chabane.

Premier Stan Mathabatha said it would take time for his memory to erase what he saw at the accident scene on Sunday morning. Mathabatha uttered these words on Monday at Frans Mohlala House during a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of the late Minister Chabane, who died in a car crash on Sunday morning. He said people normally said that no comrade was irreplaceable, but he doubted whether anyone would be able to fill the gap Chabane’s death left.

“Chabane was unique and could solve any problem in the party without showing any anger. We got a lot of inspiration from him. He was a strategist, a hard worker and someone who was fast to show leadership skills. We are still shocked and devastated, and our hearts are bleeding. It will take us time to recover from this shock. We are also mourning with the families of Chabane’s protectors, Sergeant Lesiba Sekele and Sergeant Lawrence Lentsoane, who died together with the Minister,” he said.

The case was postponed to 10 April for a bail application.

Date:20 March 2015

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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