Thank you very much, hon Speaker. On behalf of Cope, I rise to express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Comrade Mandla Mbili, as well as to the ANC, who were also his family.
Death is a thief that comes in the night, when it is least expected, to strike a blow, leaving a family and a collective weakened and hurt. The passing on of Comrade Mandla Mbili came as a shock to us, his colleagues in the standing committee, while he was still recovering from a similar car accident.
We want to say that, more and more, motorcars are becoming coffins on wheels. To his family we say: Our hearts are reaching out to you for what you are going through. As for hon members and colleagues of the late Comrade Mbili, we know the pain you are going through. As members of this House, as we say farewell to this comrade, we must remember that he was one of us.
He was upfront. He spoke his mind, thinking less of personal consequences, while serving in the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, before he came to the Standing Committee on Appropriations, Scoa. Of course, we remember the stand he took on corruption. I would like to end this tribute to him by reading a short poem, written by H Kenya, titled The Loss of A Loved One:
The loss of a loved one is so hard to face, you just want to hide, go somewhere and escape! But death is something we all must go through, I know it's hard when it's someone you loved and knew.
Just know now, he is in a better place, no more hurt or pain shall he face. It seems unfair and, yes, this is true, but he is in Heaven now waching over me and you!
God has called him home to rest! And he's being well taken care of Because God knows best!
May his soul rest in peace!