Zimbabwean Woman and Infant Killed by Minister’s Vehicle

A Zimbabwean woman and her infant died after being struck by the official vehicle of South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on May 10, 2026, on the N1 highway near Bela-Bela in Limpopo.

The victims have been identified as 37-year-old Beauty Shoperia and her baby. According to police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe, preliminary investigations indicate the woman was crossing the highway with two children, including the infant strapped to her back, when the collision occurred.

The incident followed a separate fatal accident on the same stretch of road. TimesLIVE reported that Beauty Shoperia had returned to the scene after learning that her husband, Paul Masunda, had been hit and killed earlier by another vehicle, which was allegedly driven by an off-duty police officer.

Charles Shoperai, the brother of Beauty Shoperia, told Eyewitness News that his sister had already boarded a bus to Zimbabwe when she received news of her husband’s death. Shoperai stated that she immediately exited the bus and rushed back to the site of the first incident, where she was subsequently struck by the minister’s vehicle.

Investigation and Official Response

The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that two culpable homicide cases are currently under investigation. Because both drivers involved in the two separate collisions are SAPS members, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is handling the matter.

Reports from The Star indicate that Minister Motsoaledi, his driver and his close protection officer stopped immediately following the collision and remained at the scene until emergency services arrived. The mother and baby succumbed to their injuries.

Family Struggles and Repatriation

The Shoperia family is currently facing financial hardship as they attempt to repatriate the bodies of Beauty Shoperia and her baby to Zimbabwe for burial. Charles Shoperai described his sister as a cornerstone of the family who provided love and care for her father.

“She was the one who tried to save our family, just looking after her father,”

Charles Shoperai

Shoperai has appealed for assistance from the health minister to help the family cover the costs of returning the deceased to their home country.

The tragedy has left behind a surviving 14-year-old child. Shoperai expressed concern over the boy’s well-being following the deaths of both parents in the dual accidents on May 10, 2026, stating that the child is not doing well.