Cabinet expresses condolences on tragic incidents

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Pretoria – Cabinet has expressed its condolences to the families of those who died in recent tragic incidents in South Africa and abroad.

Last week, a single-decker bus collided head-on with a double-decker on Jan Smuts Avenue, near Zoo Lake, about 6.15am.  The single-decker had apparently struck a barricade on the side of the road when the driver lost control. The driver of the double-decker died, along with a pregnant woman and another passenger, whose arm was amputated at the scene.

On Tuesday morning, just after 7am, the Tshwane Business Express (1602) collided into the rear of Metroplus (0600) at Denver Station, Johannesburg. Both trains were en-route to Johannesburg from Pretoria Station.

At least 239 commuters and one train driver have been reportedly injured while one employee, a train guard suffered fatal injuries. The injured have been taken to Milpark and Hillbrow Hospitals in Johannesburg.

Of the injured, two commuters are reported to be critical, 25 suffered serious injuries, and 213 commuters suffered minor injuries, with 80 of them having being released from hospital.

“Cabinet is confident the investigation by the relevant departments will establish the causes of these accidents and ensure such accidents do not happen,” said Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe.

He was briefing reporters at a post Cabinet briefing on Thursday.

Bafana legend “Shoes”

Cabinet has also conveyed its condolences to the family, friends and entire football fraternity on the passing of former Bafana Bafana football legend John “Shoes” Moshoeu who was buried on Monday.

“He will always be remembered as a supremely talented footballer who played a central role in our triumph at the 1996 Africa Cup of Naitons,” said Minister Radebe.

He died at the age of 49 after a long battle with cancer.

Moshoeu’s career blossomed when he joined Giant Blackpool and then moved to Kaizer Chiefs. He did not stay long as his talent was noticed overseas where he made a big money move to Turkey playing for Genclerbirligi, Fenerbahce and Bursaspor.

Earthquake in Nepal

Cabinet has also conveyed condolences to the Government and the people of Nepal, following a massive earthquake on Saturday.

The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Nepal has climbed to 5 489, with a total of 10 965 people injured, the Home Ministry said on Thursday.

Sindhupalchowk is the worst-hit district with 1 587 people killed after the 7.9-magnitude quake hit Nepal, according to the National Emergency Operation Centre under the ministry.

Some 13 4864 houses were destroyed and 92 971 were damaged, said the Home Ministry.

Cabinet has commended the South African non-governmental organisations who have already dispatched humanitarian aid to Nepal.

South African humanitarian aid group Gift of the Givers are on the ground in Nepal helping with rescue efforts.

Brigadier General Hashim Mbita

Cabinet has also expressed its deepest condolences to the family of Brigadier General Mbita who died at the age of 75 in Tanzania.

General Mbita died on 26 April, the same day that the Republic of Tanzania celebrated Union Day -- which marks the union of two east African states, namely Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

Brig-Gen Mbita served as the Executive Secretary of the Liberation Committee of the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

He was the recipient of the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Gold, the highest honour that South African bestows on foreign nationals.

General Mbita was a well renowned Pan Africanist who served the cause of the total liberation of Africa.

He was widely regarded as a fellow freedom fighter by liberation movements in Africa, particularly his active participation in the liberation struggle of Southern Africa. – SAnews.gov.za