LIMPOPO – ANC Limpopo provincial executive council member, Thabo Mokone, says Thembani Chabane, who wrote on Facebook that the late public service and administration minister, Collins Chabane, was assassinated by fellow comrades, must be investigated for perpetuating division.

The minister and his two bodyguards died when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck that was allegedly making a U-turn on the N1 outside Polokwane some three weeks ago.

Mokone said Thembani should explain the root of his allegations.

“We cannot continue like this in this country, to perpetuate division,” he said.

ANC Limpopo spokesperson, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said the ANC dismissed with contempt the unfounded and malicious allegations on the death of the minister. She said the ANC viewed Chabane’s allegations as seeking personal glory on the back of the tragic passing away of an outstanding comrade and leader of the ANC, and the expense of the Chabane family.

“We cannot continue like this in this country, to perpetuate division”

“It is a pity that he chose the death of comrade Collins for such grandstanding. The ANC is satisfied with the declaration from the Chabane family that they have accepted without any doubt the circumstances of comrade Chabane’s death,” she said.

“Furthermore, the ANC will work on the request of the family that the organisation takes the necessary measures to protect its good name. At this time, we request that the family be given space to mourn in dignity and to let justice take its course against the truck driver,” Ntshavheni said.

The Chabane family spokesperson, Percy Chabane, said the situation was traumatic to the family. “We are trying to find closure as a family on this matter,” he said.

Referring to Thembani Chabane, he said: “We don’t have any such name in our family”.

The 31-year-old Thembani Chabane apologised to the Chabane family, the ANC and the public at large last week. He said the allegations he had made were baseless. He said what he wrote on Facebook was something he had heard some members of the public saying. He said he didn’t think it would result in such a serious situation.

“I am a Chabane family member and I was surprised by those in the family who say they don’t know me,” he said.

Provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto, said they had opened an inquiry into the incident.

“No case has been registered yet, as the police are still gathering information.

“No arrest has been made. Arresting the suspect and charging him will depend on the outcome of the investigation,” Otto said.

ANC denies Chabane was killed by his comrades