Bavelile Hlongwa: Deputy Minister of minerals and energy dies in car crash

Bavelile Hlongwa, the Deputy Mineral Resources and Energy Minister died in a motorvehicle accident on Friday, the department confirmed.

“It is with great sadness to inform you about the sudden death of… Bavelile Hlongwa. She died in an accident today [Friday], 13-09-2019. Details to be made available as time progresses. May her soul rest in peace,” the department said in a brief statement.

Ramaphosa mourns the loss of Bavelile Hlongwa

Death be not proud … We dip our head in mourning the tragic passing on of Comrade Bavelile Hlongwa who was killed together with two other people in a major crash on the N1 highway last night (13 Sep). We wish speedy recovery to those that were injured in the accident. pic.twitter.com/PeOV50PlG9

— Gauteng ANC (@GautengANC) September 14, 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Hlongwa, saying:

“The death of Deputy Minister Hlongwa is a devastating, untimely loss of a talented young leader who, alongside Minister Gwede Mantashe, was playing an important and dynamic role in an important sector of our economy,”

Hlongwa was appointed as Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy with effect from 30 May 2019. Prior to her appointment she served as Executive Deputy Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency.

She studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Howard College where she obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. She started her career at Shell Downstream SA.

Deputy Minister Hlongwa will be honoured with an Official Funeral Category 2 in line with government’s State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy. The President has further directed that the national flag shall fly at half-mast at every flag station in the country until the Deputy Minister is laid to rest.