Former MDC senator dies in SA car crash

By Nqobile Tshili

Former MDC senator for Makokoba Constituency, Mr Sibangilizwe Msipha and four other people, two of them Zimbabweans died yesterday when two cars collided head-on in South Africa.

Three other people were injured in the accident that occurred at around 5AM along the N1 highway near Mookgophong in South Africa’s Limpopo province.

According to South Africa media reports, the accident caused a four hour closure of the road.

The reports said the accident occurred when a Toyota pick-up collided head on with a VW Polo vehicle.

“Five people, including the driver of the bakkie (pick-up) and a toddler died instantly and three other people sustained serious injuries.

“The injured passengers were taken to hospital for medical treatment,” Limpopo province police spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe told South African media.

Contacted for further comment by The Chronicle, Col Ngoepe said more details would be released after completion of investigations.

The chairperson of Zimbabwean Community in South Africa Mr Ngqabutho Mabhena said Mr Msipha was among those who died in the accident.

“The accident that happened this morning on N1 claimed the life of Mr Sibangilizwe Msipha. Mr Msipha was a senator for Makokoba from 2005-2008. He died on his way to Johannesburg from Bulawayo. May his soul rest in peace,” Mr Mabhena, wrote on his Facebook page.

In an interview, Mr Mabhena said he had received information that three of those who died in the accident were Zimbabweans.

“The consulate may have more information on the accident as they had been informed but I’m told that of the five people who died in the accident, three of them are Zimbabweans while the other two are South Africans,” he said.

Zimbabwe Consul General to South Africa Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro could not be contacted for comment. The Chronicle