Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has extended his condolences to the family of three Zimbabwean nationals killed in a tragic series of collisions on the N1 highway near Bela-Bela.
The devastating incident unfolded on Saturday evening, 9 May 2026, when 44-year-old Paul Masunda was struck and killed while attempting to cross the busy highway after dropping his wife and children at an informal bus stop. Police confirmed that the first vehicle involved was driven by an off-duty SAPS member.
Moments later, Masunda’s wife, 37-year-old Beauty Shoperai, reportedly received a distressed call from their 14-year-old son. She stopped the bus she had boarded, carrying her one-year-old son, Paul Masunda Jr, on her back, and attempted to cross the highway to reach her husband.
Tragically, before reaching him, Shoperai and the infant were struck by a black SUV transporting Minister Motsoaledi. Both died at the scene, while the couple’s teenage son survived with injuries.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the minister’s official vehicle was driven by a member of the Protection and Security Services (PSS). Authorities said Minister Motsoaledi, his driver and close protection officers remained at the scene for approximately two hours and cooperated fully with emergency personnel and investigators.
In a statement issued by the Department of Health, the minister expressed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.
“While the matter is currently being handled by the police, Minister Motsoaledi would like to extend his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased on the tragic loss of their loved ones,” the department said.
Two separate culpable homicide cases have since been opened. As both drivers involved are SAPS members, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has taken over the investigations. No arrests or charges have been announced at this stage.
The tragedy has left the Masunda and Shoperai families devastated. Family members told local media they are now struggling to raise funds to repatriate the bodies of the three victims to Zimbabwe for burial.
Beauty Shoperai’s brother, Charles Shoperai, described the family’s grief as overwhelming, saying they were not seeking to blame anyone but were heartbroken by the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by informal pedestrian crossings and unregulated bus stops along major South African highways, particularly the N1 corridor. Investigations remain ongoing, with IPID appealing to witnesses to come forward with any additional information.