South Africa's Minster Collins Chabane killed in car crash

Collins Chabane

Minister of Public Service and Administration Collins Chabane was killed in a car accident early on Sunday morning, the presidency said.

"President Jacob Zuma is saddened to announce the untimely death of the

Minister of Public Service and Administration, Mr Collins Chabane in a car crash in the early hours of this morning," said spokesman Mac Maharaj in a statement.

Zuma was shocked by Chabane's death.

"We are deeply shocked and saddened by this untimely death of an outstanding cadre of our liberation struggle and a competent, accomplished and dependable member of my Cabinet," said Zuma.

"This is a huge loss to government and the country as a whole."

Chabane was previously the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation.

"A veteran of the liberation struggle, Mr Chabane was also a long serving

member of the ANC National Executive Committee," said Maharaj.

The Young Communist League was shocked by the news of the death of Chabane, saying he was one of the sharpest minds in government.

"South Africa this morning wakes up a poorer country as death has robbed us one of the sharpest minds in our government, in the congress movement and an intellectual par [excellence]," said Khaya Xaba, YCLSA spokesman.

Chabane and two bodyguards were killed when their vehicle crashed into a truck doing a u-turn on the N1 near Polokwane, according to Zizi Kodwa, spokesman for the African National Congress, which Chabane represented was a national executive committee member of.

Xaba said Collins would "forever be etched in our memories for his unrelenting fight against the oppressive white minority rule of the apartheid government".

"YCLSA members will forever be inspired by his unassuming character and the high level of discipline he displayed at all material times."

Xaba said Collins was an avid musician, having developed his love for music while in incarceration.

"While in jail he learned music theory and how to play the harmonica. Cde Collins recorded two CD's.

"We send our deepest condolences to his family, the movement at large and his Marimba band movement."

President Jacob Zuma was shocked by Chabane's death.

"We are deeply shocked and saddened by this untimely death of an outstanding cadre of our liberation struggle and a competent, accomplished and dependable member of my Cabinet," said Zuma.