The Free State Legislature's speaker and the Free State Premier, as the political head, have expressed their sincere and deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Smith. He passed on on Saturday 17 September 2022 at a Bloemfontein guest house.

ALSO READ: ANC MPL ‘Sandlana’ dies

Premier Sisi Ntombela has described Smith as a principled leader whose love for the people was his main preoccupation.

"He was a humble, committed and selfless leader whose service to the people of our province was unrivalled. Smith was a principled leader whose love for the people was his main preoccupation. Our province, and party, the African National Congress, is poorer without him and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace," Premier Ntombela says.

Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Ntombizanele Sifuba, has also weighed in and expressed shock and sadness at the sudden death of Smith who was affectionately known as ‘Sandlana’ in his circle of comrades and friends.

“On Friday 16 September 2022, Hon Smith felt unwell while attending the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee at the Legislature. He reported to the Chairperson, Hon Jabulani Radebe, and was excused from the meeting to go and rest. Honourable Smit joined the Free State Legislature as a Member following the 2019 National General Elections. He was elected the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs, Office of the Premier and the Legislature. He was also a member of four Portfolio Committees of the Legislature. His previous roles include serving as the Acting Manager in the ANC Whippery, Deputy Director of Special Programmes at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Liaison Officer for Minorities in the Free State. He also served in the committee for poverty eradication and rural development and the Steering Committee for Macufe, 2008,” she says.

Sifuba has further described Smith as a real servant of the people whose social profile includes helping schools across the country with finding sponsors and helping workers with labour-related matters.

OFM News previously reported that opposition parties at the legislature - including the EFF, Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and DA - have described Smith as a gentle soul, passionate about the community he served.

ALSO READ: ANC MPL 'Sandlana' described as gentle soul

The Free State police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the death of Smith.

According to police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, a docket was opened at the Bayswater Police Station to probe the death of Heinrich Charl Smith (67).

Covane told OFM News that Smith was found motionless in his car by a colleague after taking time to rest following project work. Covane said the police were summoned to the scene at a guesthouse in Milner Road and according to the report, it is alleged that the deceased booked in at the guesthouse with a colleague to complete a plan on a project.

ALSO READ: Police to investigate death of Free State ANC MPL

Smith’s memorial and funeral services are as follows: 

Memorial Service

• Date: 22 September 2022

• Venue : Fourth Raadsaal

• Time: 10H00 

Funeral Service

• Date: 24 September 2022

• Venue : Mahube Tumelo

• Time: To Be Confirmed 

Members of the Free State Legislature are expected to visit the home of Smith on Wednesday 21 September 2022 to pay homage.

OFM News