Motsoaledi says he was ‘devastated’ after fatal N1 crash involving official vehicle

By Akani Nkuna

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has described as “devastating” the moment his official vehicle struck a woman and her one-year-old son on the N1 near Bela-Bela in Limpopo, after visiting the victims’ grieving family on Friday.

Beauty Shoperai, 37, and her son, Paul Masunda Jr, 1, died on Saturday, 9 May, after they were hit by the vehicle transporting Motsoaledi.

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Shoperai’s husband, Paul Masunda, 44, had earlier been struck by another vehicle while crossing the highway.

The crashes happened near an informal bus stop used by travellers heading to Zimbabwe. Masunda had reportedly accompanied his wife and child to the bus stop before he was hit while crossing the N1.

Shoperai then got off the bus to check on him, carrying the child, when she and the boy were struck by Motsoaledi’s official vehicle.

Recounting the incident, Motsoaledi said the