Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe dies in a car accident

National News/05 March 2023,14:34pm/ Lebona Lekoena

The late Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe: image supplied

By Lebona Lekoena: The Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe and his bodyguard Warrant Officer Vuyo Mdi, lost their lives in a car crash in the early hours of Sunday outside Winburg on the N1.

The driver of the vehicle Warrant Officer Pule Nkopane, was rushed to hospital for medical attention.

It is alleged that their vehicle collided with two cows on the N1 outside Winburg.

According to the emergency services crew who responded to the accident, three occupants were trapped inside the car, they used the jaws of life to free them and two were declared dead on the scene.

The driver of the vehicle suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Medi Clinic hospital in Bloemfontein.

The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, said she was shocked and saddened by the untimely 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.

Meanwhile the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili has on behalf of the organisation and in particular the Protection Security Services (PSS) division sent her condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Warrant Officer Vuyo Mdi

The Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lt Gen Tebello Mosikili has paid gratitude to Warrant Officer Mdi for his service to the nation and wished Warrant Officer Nkopane a speedy recovery.

“The death of Warrant Officer Mdi is a great blow to the protection and security services division and the SAPS at large. He has been described by his immediate commander as a quiet, dedicated, committed and disciplined member. We have mobilised our employee health and wellness experts to provide psychosocial services to the family and colleagues of the deceased member. We are also wishing Warrant Officer Nkopane who is in a critical condition a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are also with his family “, said Lt Gen Tebello Mosikili.