Mohale’s appointment as acting MEC for Education follows after the passing of MEC Tate Makgoe in the early hours of Sunday 5 March 2023 in a car accident. This wouldn’t be Mohale’s first time acting in Makgoe’s position. 

At the beginning of the 2022 matric examination, Mohale assumed the role of acting MEC of Education while Makgoe was away on official business. 

At the time, he kicked off his acting period by addressing at least 435 matriculants of the Lefikeng Secondary School in Botshabelo. He applauded the school, together with the department, for the work they have done in preparing for this last run. 

Makgoe’s successor has not been communicated.

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Makgoe passed away alongside his bodyguard, Vuyo Mdi, from the police's protection services after their car hit three cattle. The accident that claimed Makgoe and Mdi’s lives occurred on the N1 outside Winburg. 

The driver, Pule Nkopane, was urgently hospitalised after the accident. The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Services, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, paid tribute to the late Mdi for his services and also wished Nkopane a speedy recovery. She described the death of Mdi as a great loss to law enforcement agencies. "He has been described by his immediate commander as a quiet, dedicated, committed and disciplined member. We are also wishing warrant officer Nkopane, who is in critical condition, a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are also with his family," she concluded.

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Premier Mxolisi Dukwana said Makgoe turned the Free State into a winning province when it comes to education. Dukwana’s predecessor, Sisi Ntombela expressed how she was shattered by the death of one of the province’s brightest stars. "I am absolutely shattered by this terrible news of the passing of one of the province’s brightest stars. Comrade Tate was an absolute joy to work with. To have worked with him and witnessed his transformation from a young man as an MEC to a giant who revolutionised our education system is a memory I will always cherish. His passing has dealt a devastating blow to the Free State province, whose excellence in education is known across the country, thanks to comrade Makgoe's hard work," she said.

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