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Tragedic death of two correctional officials in a car accident
9 March 2009
The Minister of Correctional Services, Mr Ngconde Balfour has expressed shock and disbelief at the tragedic death of two officials in a car accident yesterday afternoon.
The officials were part of a group of 14 who were travelling back to the Western Cape from the National Offender Choir Competition at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in the Northwest on Saturday. The combi they were travelling in burst a tyre and overturned near Bloemhof in the North West. This led to the death of the two officials, seriously injury of three officials while nine others received treatment for minor injuries at the Kimberly Medi Clinic and were discharged. The hospital has confirmed that the three correctional officials who were seriously injured are now out of danger and will be monitored closely while they receive treatment.
The two officials who passed on are: Ms Vivian Ntloko and Ms Pinky Mantyintyana, both from Cape Town. Their next of kin have been informed. "On behalf of the Deputy Minister, management and staff of correctional services I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to their families and colleagues who worked closely with them. I also wish those injured a speedy recovery," Minister Balfour said.
He says more tragedy is the fact that they passed on after they made a significant contribution to the choir competition. He says their lives should be celebrated because of the invaluable contribution they have made towards the success of not only the competition but in the general mainstreaming of rehabilitation programmes.
National Commissioner, Ms Xoliswa Sibeko has this morning flown out to Kimberly to visit those who are still in hospital, and the nine officials discharged yesterday who are currently accommodated at a nearby hotel.
Deputy Minister Ms Loretta Jacobus will tomorrow visit the families of the deceased in Cape Town.
Details of the memorial and funeral services will be known once they have been finalised.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
9 March 2009