Beauty Shoperai, 37, was run over by the official vehicle of health minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, with her son, Paul Masunda, 1, strapped to her back, on Saturday (9/5). Shoperai was trying to cross the highway to where her husband was lying after he was killed by a vehicle driven by an off-duty police officer.

The couple’s other child, 14, survived. The police investigative division, Ipid, has taken over investigations into the accident as both drivers were police members. One state vehicle was driven by a member of the protection security services, and the other by an off-duty police member.

“Given that police members were involved in both incidents, Ipid’s investigation will be critically important,” said chairperson of the portfolio committee on police, Ian Cameron. “I will monitor the matter closely and follow up to ensure the investigation is conducted properly, independently, and transparently, and that the affected family receives answers.

“Behind every case number are real people, grieving families, and lives permanently changed.”

IOL reports the minister’s office had reached out to them on Thursday (14/5) with the intention of offering assistance. However, they said they told them they were in the country illegally as they did not have proper documentation.

This comes as they continue to call for help in repatriating the bodies of their loved ones, who were killed in a horrific crash.

On the day, Shoperai was accompanied by her husband and teenage son to board a bus to Zimbabwe.

Shortly after getting on the bus, she received a call from her son, saying her husband had died after attempting to cross the N1 highway.

Shoperai immediately got off the bus and walked towards where her husband was lying. However, before she could get to them, she was struck by the health minister’s vehicle, dying instantly on the scene along with Paul, whom she was carrying on her back.

“Everyone is devastated, because you can imagine just losing three members in less than 45 minutes,” said family spokesperson Rabson Masunda.

“The child is very, very devastated. I wish we could get a social worker who can go and try to speak to the child because we don’t know what he is feeling. With his age, it’s not good.”

The police are still holding the bodies as they are still busy with their investigations, he said.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.