The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that a crash involving the official vehicle of Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on the N1 near Bela-Bela in Limpopo on Saturday, 09 May 2026, left a mother and baby dead.
Police said the state vehicle, driven by a member of the Protection and Security Services, was travelling on the highway when the incident occurred. Preliminary investigations suggest that a woman, carrying one child on her back and accompanied by another, was attempting to cross the road at the time.
It is alleged the family was trying to reach the scene of an earlier accident in which the woman’s husband was reportedly struck and killed by a vehicle driven by an off-duty police officer.
Police said the woman and her children were then struck by the Minister’s official vehicle while crossing the roadway. The mother and infant died from their injuries at the scene.
SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said all protocol was followed after the crash.
“The Minister, his close protection officers, and the driver immediately stopped at the scene and remained there until police and emergency services arrived,” Mathe said.
She confirmed that two separate cases of culpable homicide have been opened as part of the ongoing investigation.
“Statements were obtained from all parties present, and the circumstances surrounding both incidents are under investigation,” Mathe said.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has taken over the investigation, as both drivers involved are SAPS members.
Photo: X/ @GovernmentZA
