Mourners, including friends, colleagues and family, will gather at the Seventh Adventist Church in Bloemfontein to celebrate the late Heinrich Charl Smith (67), who was found to have passed on Saturday 17 September 2022 at a Bloemfontein guest house.

ALSO READ: ANC MPL ‘Sandlana’ dies

The man known as Sandlana around his circle of comrades and friends, has been described by his colleagues as a gentle soul, passionate about the community he served.

ALSO READ: ANC MPL 'Sandlana' described as gentle soul

The Free State Legislature's Speaker, Ntombizanele Sifuba, and the Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela, have also expressed their sincere and deepest condolences to Smith's family, friends and colleagues. Premier Ntombela described Smith as a principled leader.

"He was a humble, committed and selfless leader whose service to the people of our province was unrivalled. Smith was a principled leader whose love for the people was his main preoccupation. Our province, and party, the African National Congress, is poorer without him and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace," Premier Ntombela said.

Sifuba has also weighed in and expressed shock and sadness at the sudden death of Smith.

Members of the Legislature will this morning, hours before the memorial service, visit the home of Sandlana to pay homage.

ALSO READ: Condolences continue to pour in for ANC MPL 'Sandlana'

OFM News previously reported that the police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, confirmed that Smith’s death will be investigated. Covane said Smith was found motionless in his car after taking time to rest following project work with a colleague. Covane said the police were summoned to the scene at a guesthouse in Milner Road and 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."

The ANC's Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane, on Saturday told OFM News that a 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 was the chairperson of the Free State Legislature Committee for Education, Health and Social Services and has been in the position since 28 February 2022. Smith was also a member of an Ad Hoc Committee on Petitions, and a member of the Public Works, Infrastructure, Roads, Transport and Human Settlements Legislature Committee in 2019.

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

Funeral Service

• Date: 24 September 2022

• Venue: Mahube Tumelo, Bloemfontein

• Time: 09H00

OFM News