South African Cabinet minister who planned funeral for Nelson Mandela dies in car crash

JOHANNESBURG – South African authorities say a Cabinet minister who led the planning of the 2013 funeral of Nelson Mandela has died in a car crash.

The office of South African President Jacob Zuma said Collins Chabane, minister in charge of public service and administration, died early Sunday.

Zuma said in a statement that Chabane's death is a big loss to the government and the country.

The president's office said Chabane planned the funeral of Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader and former prisoner who became president, with "great dignity and efficiency."

The funeral ceremonies for Mandela included a stadium memorial attended by U.S. President Barack Obama and dozens of other leaders from around the world.