Parliament mourns the loss of three South African sportspeople who died over the weekend.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Parliament’s Presiding Officers, National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete, National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson Ms Thandi Modise, NA Deputy Speaker Mr Lechesa Tsenoli and NCOP Deputy Chairperson Mr Raseriti Tau are saddened by the untimely deaths of three of South Africa’s leading sportspeople over the last few days.

On Friday, Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Malaudzi, who also carried the South African flag at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, died in a car accident.

Also on Friday, professional woman boxer Phindile Mwelase died after being in a coma for two weeks. The coma came after she was knocked out in a boxing match earlier this month.

Then, on Sunday, Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa died after he was shot.

Parliament described them all as inspiring young people, whose premature passing has shocked the country and the youth robbed of exceptional sporting role models.

Our hearts go out to their families, friends and the nation as we all come to terms with this loss.