Transport Minister slated for talking politics at mass funeral

Maswanganyi was one of the key speakers at the service held in Verena in Mpumalanga, where heart broken families and community members gathered for the last tribute. 

The minister said the Road Accident Fund (RAF) has issued 16 funeral support activations and 7 direct claims for injured children.

"We want to indicate that the ANC government cares about our people. During apartheid, the Road Accident Fund was preserved for the rich whites. Under die ANC government, the Road Accident Fund is no longer an exclusive domain. It also cares for our people," said Maswanganyi.

He continued by hitting back at former President FW de Klerk, who told the National Foundation Dialogue Initiative in Braamfontein yesterday that South Africa is experiencing a constitutional crisis, under the current ANC government.

"We can't be told by FW de Klerk how to run our government, because under him the Road Accident Fund only benefited the whites. We should not be fooled by our former oppressors. Our former oppressors belong to the dustbins of history. We don't even need their advice. We are properly led by the African National Congress," said Maswanganyi

Maswanganyi also referred to President Jacob Zuma, who did not attend the funeral.

"To ensure that we elevate rail as an alternative mode of transport, we invested R173 billion towards the modernisation of passenger rail infrastructure and services. To this end, President Zuma will be presiding over the official launch of the commercialised Metrorail train at the Pretoria Station on Tuesday, 9 May 2017," said Maswanganyi.

The Minister offered words of condolences at the end of his speech.

"Working together, we can do more to stop road accidents. May the souls of dear departed rest in eternal peace."

Here is how some South Africans reacted to Maswanganyi's comments.