Johannesburg - A journalist and a VIP protection officer were killed on Monday evening following a collision near Kwamsane, 48km north of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, according to news reports.
Tim Ncube was killed when the driver of a car which formed part of King Goodwill Zwelithini's cavalcade allegedly crashed into Ncube on the N2.
Zwelithini was being transported from his Nongoma palace to a hospital in Richards Bay, for reasons unknown.
The accident apparently took place in a 60km/h to 80km/h zone near Kwamsane. The damage to both cars was extensive.
Police spokesperson Jabulani Mdletshe said the VIP car was not near Zwelithini's car at the time of the accident.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize expressed his condolences to the families of both Ncube and the VIP officer in a statement.
Mkhize said Ncube had provided a great service to the region. “Ncube was an inspirational journalist whose contribution to journalism would be difficult to fill,” he said.
Mkhize said the cause of the accident was to be investigated. - Sapa