Tributes pour in for Chabane as country invited to pay tribute by signing condolence books

SOUTH Africans have been invited to pay their respects to Public Service Minister Collins Chabane by signing condolence books placed around the country, the Presidency said yesterday.

Spokesman Mac Maharaj said mourners could convey their messages at the Union Buildings and the Department of Public Service and Administration in Pretoria, Tuynhuys and Parliament in Cape Town and the Office of the Premier in Limpopo.

Chabane, and two bodyguards – Sergeant Lesiba Sekele and Sergeant Lawrence Lentsoane – were killed instantly when a truck allegedly made a U-turn in front of their car on the N1 near Polokwane in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A breathalyser test taken shortly after the accident indicated the truck driver might have been drinking, Limpopo police spokeswoman Colonel Ronel Otto said. He was taken to hospital for blood tests.

Meanwhile, tributes continued to pour in yesterday for Chabane.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) said Chabane had helped transform the public service. “In memory of the late Minister Chabane, the PSC will continue to contribute towards building a capable and developmental public service”, deputy chairman Richard Sizani said.

The National Teachers Union (Natu) and the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) said his death came at a critical time for public sector wage talks.

“His tragic death comes at the time when his department was engaged in wage negotiations with public sector unions on improvement of working conditions for government employees, for implementation on April 1,” Natu deputy president Allen Thompson said.

Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said it was hoped the talks would be concluded by the end of this month.

Chabane had come up with ways to improve the government housing scheme, and other measures to improve the lives of public servants.

Maluleke said the country had lost a diligent, dedicated and passionate leader.

“His death will indeed leave a huge void in government.”

The Chamber of Mines said the mining industry would remember Chabane’s excellent leadership at the time of the Marikana tragedy.

“His astuteness in confronting the challenges the country faced is a lesson we should all learn from. We hope the family, government and his entire political fraternity will find it in their hearts to continue with his passion of making South Africa a better country for all,” the chamber’s president Mike Teke said.

The Roman Catholic Church said Chabane was one of the cabinet’s most efficient and ethical members.

“It is also sad to hear allegations that the cause of the accident included drunken driving of an unroadworthy vehicle. As a church, we vehemently condemn substance and, especially, alcohol abuse in our country which has made us to lose such a jewel,” said Archbishop William Slattery.

The SA National Editors’ Forum said Chabane, in his previous capacity as minister in the Presidency responsible for the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and general communication, was always responsive to the media.

“In particular, Sanef remembers the way he diffused the controversy started by utterances of then GCIS CEO Jimmy Manyi, that he would only place government adverts in media that gives government positive coverage.”

Chabane had said at the time that the government would not use its advertising budget to interfere with editorial control. – Sapa