Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Free State MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe and his bodyguard, Warrant Officer – Vuyo Mdi, confirmed dead in car crash after hitting two cows to death.
Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe, 59, and his bodyguard, Warrant Officer Vuyo Mdi, died in a car crash on the N1, outside Winburg, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Their driver Pule Nkopane survived and was rushed to Winburg Hospital, Sello Dithebe, spokesperson for Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, said on Sunday.
Accident scene which claimed the lives of Free State Education MEC, Tate Makgoe and his bodyguard, while another one survived with moderate injuries on the N1, Winburg on Sunday morning.
He said the crew tried to free the occupants, but Makgoe and Mdi were both declared dead on the scene.
Dukwana later visited the accident scene and in a media briefing on Sunday said it had been horrific.
According to Dukwana, the MEC had been driving back from a meeting in Gauteng and was headed to Free State for a morning church service.
“We only know that he had a meeting in Johannesburg and was travelling back because he had an appointment. He was going to be attending a church service in Heidedal (in Bloemfontein) around 09:00 today. That is why he insisted [on] driving in the early hours for him to be here,” he said.
The driver of the vehicle suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Winburg Hospital for stabilisation and would later be transported to Bloemfontein.
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, said she was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Makgoe.
“I have no words to express my deepest shock at the news of the untimely passing of Comrade Tate. When I was appointed Minister of Basic Education he was also appointed MEC of Education in the Free State and has been in the position ever since.
“The success of the province in education can be attributed mainly to his leadership, dedication, understanding of the sector and the innovation, which has yielded great results. I am truly saddened by his passing,” Motshekga said.
She described Makgoe as “simply the best” and said he contributed immensely not only in Free State education but in the sector generally.
“He was very hard-working, highly gifted but humble and respectful to all. A trailblazer of note,” she said. The Minister conveyed her condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and stakeholders who worked with Makgoe.
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