Employment and Labour Minister expresses shock and sadness on the tragic death of three UIF-LAP beneficiaries
The Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth, has learned with shock and sadness, of the tragic death of three young beneficiaries of the UIF- Labour Activation Programme (LAP), in the Agricultural Sector in uMshwathi Local Municipality situated in uMgungundlovu District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.
The budding students who had their whole lives ahead of them, were enrolled with the Fuze Institute, as part of the UIF-LAP project in Mixed Farming Initiative.
The fatal accident in which Asanda Mbonambi (25), Nobuhle Mgwaba (32), and Thandolwenkosi Ngcobo (24), tragically lost their lives, took place on 25 February 2025. The trio were allegedly knocked down and killed instantly by a speeding farmer behind the wheel, while walking home immediately after their class session. The driver was arrested and remains in police custody.
Minister Meth has expressed shock and sorrow on the tragic loss of life, which has left the DEL family devastated. The Minister passes her sincere condolences to the family of the students, and has also thanked the LAP Partner, Fuze Institute for their swift response in providing support to the families.
“We are deeply shocked and pained by the tragic news of the senseless killing of the LAP participants. On behalf of the Department and Ministry, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the Mgwaba, Mbonambi, and Ngcobo families. Your pain is equally felt by all of us.
We appreciate the swift response of Fuze Institute on hearing about this devastating loss. The Institute will provide the families of the students with a R100,000 benefit support claim. We also wish to express gratitude to Law Enforcement Agencies for arresting the perpetrator, and call on the full might of the law to take its course.
Though the UIF, the Department will visit the families and provide all the necessary support during this difficult time,” says Minister Meth.
About the UIF-LAP Programme
The Labour Activation Programme unit was established within the UIF in accordance with the new mandate of the Department of Employment and Labour, to enhance employability of the unemployed through training; enable entrepreneurship through enterprise development, and foster partnerships with government departments, entities and the private sector to assist with the stimulation of job creation.
The Labour Activation Programme is a nationwide initiative that cuts across all sectors of the economy, and has to date, signed contracts worth R651 million and R922 million, with Business partners in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape respectively.
The funded partners are required to recruit 100% of qualifying candidates from the Department of Employment and Labour’s ESSA database. In the event that ESSA is unable to provide the required number of recruits, only then can other means be explored.
Job seekers are encouraged to visit https://essa.labour.gov.za/EssaOnline/WebBeans/ to register and create a profile on the Employment Services of South Africa database.
Media enquiries:
Ms. Thobeka Magcai
Ministry Spokesperson
E-mail: Thobeka.Magcai@labour.gov.za
Cell: 072 737 2205
