The Department of Transport in the Eastern Cape has opened a case of culpable homicide following the passing of theatre legend Mbongeni Ngema. Ngema passed away yesterday when the car he was traveling in collided head-on with a truck. The Sarafina! Creator was travelling with two other people on the R61 road between Mbizana and Magusheni when the incident occurred.

CRIMINAL CASE OPENED 

Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Bhinqose confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened with the Bizana police for further investigations. Binqose said that at the moment, circumstances surrounding the cause of the crash are still unknown. "all three occupants from the sedan sustained severe injuries and the male passenger unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and died on arrival at the OR and Adelaide Tambo Memorial Hospital in Mbizana," Bhinqose said.

TRUCK OCCUPANTS UNHARMED 

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said the police responded to an accident scene on the R61 road between Mbizana and Magusheni on Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 pm. ?On arrival, they found three people, including the driver, in a serious condition. It is alleged that a white Renault sedan was driving from Lusikisiki to Durban when they were involved in an accident with a truck,? Mawisa said. She said the three people including Ngema were rushed to hospital for treatment. ?The deceased [Ngema], who was one of the passengers, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and the other two including the driver are still at the hospital,? added Mawisa. The truck driver and his two passengers survived unharmed.

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA SENDS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY

President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences to Ngema's family. ?I offer my sincere condolences to the family, friends and associates of our cultural stalwart, Mbongeni Ngema, who has lost his life in a vehicle accident,?. ?His masterfully creative narration of our liberation struggle honoured the humanity of oppressed South Africans and exposed the inhumanity of an oppressive regime,? the President said. He added that the many productions Ngema created inspired resilience and pride among South Africans and took the country into the theatres, homes and to millions of people around the world.