Parliament, Monday 05 March 2018 – Parliament’s Presiding Officers, Speaker Baleka Mbete of the National Assembly and Chairperson Thandi Modise of the National Council of Provinces, are shocked and engulfed by disbelief following a tragic road accident that claimed the life of Ms Fezeka Loliwe, a Member of Parliament.
Ms Loliwe, who served as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Labour, was on her constituency work in Fort Beaufort when she was involved in a fatal road accident near Fort Hare University in Alice – Eastern Cape. The Presiding Officers are deeply distraught; the tragic road accident involving a member of Parliament is the third in as many months. It also brings to 5 the number of MPs who have passed away in the last few months through various causes.
MP Loliwe was one of the bright stars that served the people of South Africa with faithfulness and passion. She was one of the most exemplary Members of Parliament, a dedicated and hardworking servant who derived immense joy from making a difference in the lives of South Africans. Widely loved for her kindness and humility, Ms Loliwe was also respected for her sharp mind and her uncompromising, fearless and probing style of oversight over those who appear before Parliament. Like a true soldier, she died in the line of duty, doing what she loved most, building strong connections between Parliament and the people.
Parliament wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family, friends, comrades and colleagues of MP Loliwe, whose passing has robbed Parliament and the people of South Africa of a remarkable, humble and dedicated public representative who always went beyond the call of duty in the fulfilment of her parliamentary responsibilities.
No amount of words and messages of sympathy can take away the pain her family, friends and comrades are going through at this dark hour. However, we hope and pray that her family will find solace in the knowledge that Parliament and the nation have lost a great human being, a foremost legislator and a diligent public representative.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
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