Police are investigating two separate culpable homicide cases after a family was devastated in back-to-back road incidents on the N1 highway near Bela-Bela in Limpopo.
According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, the first incident involved a vehicle driven by an off-duty police officer which struck a man crossing the road. The pedestrian died at the scene.
Shortly afterwards, the victim’s wife reportedly attempted to cross the same stretch of road with her two children, one of whom was strapped to her back, when she was struck by an official vehicle belonging to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.
The woman and the baby later died from their injuries.
Mathe said the minister, along with his driver and close protection officer, stopped immediately after the incident and remained at the scene until emergency services and police arrived.
“The circumstances surrounding both accidents form part of ongoing police investigations,” Mathe said, adding that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate has taken over the probe as both drivers are members of the SAPS.
Authorities have expressed condolences to the bereaved family as investigations continue.