Special funeral for Chabane

"Minister Chabane, as a dedicated and serving member of the Cabinet, will be accorded a special official funeral, details of which will be recorded at a later stage," he said at a media briefing.

 

Radebe said President Jacob Zuma was "deeply shocked" by his untimely death and viewed it as a huge loss to the government and to the country.

 

He described Chabane, 54, as an "intellectual giant" and a man who was "not in the clouds but grounded among his people".

 

"He will be remembered for his great sense of humour, humility and hard work."

 

Radebe added that he was sure Chabane's finer touch and experience would be sorely missed in the process of public sector wage negotiations.

 

Chabane and his bodyguards Sergeant Lesiba Sekele and Sergeant Lawrence Lentsoane were killed instantly when a truck allegedly did a u-turn in front of their car on the N1 near Polokwane in the early hours of Sunday morning.

 

The truck driver was not injured.

 

Police arrested the driver on Sunday and opened a case of culpable homicide.

 

He would appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

 

Radebe would not be drawn into reports that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

 

"The SA Police Service is still doing its investigation. He has been arrested but I am sure when the whole scene of the crime has been completed... we will know."

 

Radebe was asked whether there would be a Cabinet re-shuffle to fill Chabane's position.

 

"The matters of Cabinet are the sole responsibility of the president. I am sure he will be able to indicate what is going to happen now that the minister of public service and administration has suddenly passed on," he replied.

 

Condolences were extended to the late minister's family and friends.

 

Chabane is survived by his wife Mavis and their two children.