Two SA govt officials killed in DRC car accident

Friday, February 13, 2009

Pretoria - Government has extended its condolences to the family and friends of the two government officials who were killed early on Thursday when their car collided with a truck on the road to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The two officials were on official duty and part of a group of nine South African government delegates from KwaZulu-Natal, which was visiting Bas Congo on official government duties, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Their official vehicle was involved in a collision with an oncoming truck, killing the two officials instantly, on the road linking BasCongo and Kinshasa.

The other seven officials were treated at the local hospital for injuries and subsequently returned to Kinshasa.

It is not clear what caused the collision between the two vehicles. The South African Embassy in Kinshasa is currently making the necessary arrangements for the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sibusiso Ndebele extend their heartfelt condolences of the government and people of South Africa to members of the bereaved families.

"The thoughts and prayers of the government and people of our country reach out to those families who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident," said the statement.