S. Africa investigates car crash killing cabinet minister

South African police said Sunday it is investigating a car crash incident that killed Minister of Public Service and Administration Collins Chabane.

Chabane died instantly in the crash happening in the northern province of Limpopo early Sunday. His driver and a body guard were also killed.

The truck driver involved in the crash was not injured. He was blamed for making a U-turn on the highway that caused the crash.

"We opened a case of culpable homicide that will be investigated," Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Ronel Otto said.

The truck driver was not arrested, Otto said, adding that police would investigate and take the dockets to court when it's finalized for a decision.

The Presidency announced the death of Chabane earlier in the day.

A presidential statement said South African President Jacob Zuma "is saddened" by Chabane's death.

Chabane served previously as minister in the presidency responsible for performance monitoring and evaluation.

He was able to make the monitoring and evaluation function a crucial part of government work, the statement said.

A veteran of the liberation struggle, Chabane was also a long serving member of the African National Congress' National Executive Committee. Endi