BELA BELA - The drivers involved in two separate accidents on the N1 near Bela-Bela, Limpopo, are expected to face culpable homicide charges.
This was revealed by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on Friday upon visiting the family of the deceased, who was alleged to have been struck by a vehicle he had been traveling in.
The crashes claimed several lives, including a 37-year-old woman and her infant son.
Thirty-seven-year-old Beauty Shoperai was allegedly struck and killed by the minister's vehicle, with the driver confirmed to be a member of the Protection Security Services (PSS).
READ | Mother and child killed in crash involving Minister Aaron Motsoaledi's vehicle
Shoperai, who had her infant strapped on her back, was attempting to cross the highway to reach her husband, Paul Masunda, who had died minutes earlier in another accident.
"After the accident happened, I contacted the Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, who contacted a colonel who was sent to the scene. From there, the police took over," Motsoaledi said.
Reports are that Masunda had accompanied his wife and their one-year-old child to board a bus to Zimbabwe on Saturday.
READ | Family speaks out after fatal N1 crashes: 'It was an accident'
Masunda, who attempted to cross the N1 highway with his nephew, who had travelled with them, was allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by an off-duty officer.
He died at the scene.
Motsoaledi confirmed that authorities are investigating the matter to establish the circumstances surrounding the crashes.
In the meantime, social workers have been sent to the deceased's family.