Opposition parties at the legislature, including the EFF, Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and DA - have reacted to Heinrich Charl Smith's (67) sudden passing after he was found in a car at a Bloemfontein guest house.

ALSO READ: ANC MPL ‘Sandlana’ dies

According to the EFF’s provincial secretary, Malefane Msimang, the deceased was a gentle soul, who was able to easily interact with everyone across the political spectrum and also took unpopular views.

The FF Plus leader in the legislature, Armand Cloete, tells OFM News that the party sends its prayers and deepest condolences to all who were close to the man who was known as ‘Sandlana’, to his comrades and friends. DA leader in the Free State and Legislature Roy Jankielson also sent the parties condolences to friends, family and colleagues of Smith.

OFM News previously reported that the police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, confirmed that an inquest docket over Smith’s death was opened.

ALSO READ: Police to investigate death of Free State ANC MPL

Covane said according to information, Smith was found motionless in his car by a colleague after taking time to rest following project work with a colleague. Police were subsequently summoned to the scene at a guesthouse in Milner Road. According to the report, it is alleged that the deceased booked in at the guesthouse with a colleague to complete a plan on a project.

"At about 09:15, the deceased is said to have complained that he wasn't feeling well. He then went to rest in his motor vehicle. The colleague later went to check on the deceased and found that he was sitting motionless in the motor vehicle. The paramedics were called to the scene and declared the 67-year-old male dead. The investigation in the case continues,” Covane added.

The ANC's Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane, on Saturday told OFM News that the party official was expected to visit the family on Sunday 18 September 2022.

Another ANC MPL and ousted Chief Whip, Vusi Tshabalala, reacted to the news and described it as painful.

Smith, who is affectionately known as "Sandlana" in his circle of comrades and the opposition parties, is the chairperson of the Free State Legislature Committee for Education, Health and Social Services and has been in the position since 28 February 2022. He is also a member of an Ad Hoc Committee on Petitions. Smith was also a member of the Public Works, Infrastructure, Roads, Transport and Human Settlements Legislature Committee in 2019.

OFM News