The sudden death of Bishop Sigqibo Dwane and his wife, Ntombezinhlanu, in a massive motor vehicle crash on Sunday night represents one of the greatest tragedies of our time, in which it is becoming a common feature of our life to have road accidents claim multiple lives. The South African Council of Churches has received the news of these deaths with great shock and incredulity, and immediately would like to extend its condolences to the bishop's family and the Ethiopian Episcopal Church, of which he was its outgoing Presiding Bishop.

The SACC would also extend its heartfelt sorrow to brother bishops of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church who lost one of their own in such tragic circumstances. We trust that they will be comforted by the knowledge that the Council of Churches is praying for them, and that our hearts and minds are with them at this difficult time of mourning and sadness.

Expressing his shock and devastation at the deaths of Dwane and his wife, the General Secretary of the SACC, Eddie Makue, said in a statement: "The entire ecumenical family is shattered by Bishop Dwane's death and that of his wife, Ntombezinhlanu. I stumble for appropriate words to express my feelings and how the death of the Dwane family has affected the SACC. Dwane and his wife were stalwarts of the church, dedicated to a greater cause of justice and restoration of all God's children in a world and country that had dehumanized them. In spite of this major set-back, we want to express our greatest appreciation for the time Bishop Dwane spent as the president of the Council of Churches. During the difficult time of our political history in the course of our struggle against injustice in this country, Bishop Dwane, with the support of his wife, courageously gave of his all to assist to give direction to the course the SACC would chart as we sought to build our country from the ashes of apartheid. His leadership as President of the SACC from 1995 to 1998 was inspirational, and we give thanks to God for his service to the church and the country, and want to assure their family of our love and prayers."

The General Secretary of All Africa Conference of Churches, Bishop Mvume Dandala, echoed the sentiments expressed by the SACC, saying that the deaths of Bishop Dwane and his wife were "shocking" and had personally shattered him in ways that words are inadequate to express.

"A great man he was. He was a sound theologian and scholar who was no fan of sloppiness or half-baked thinking. We have lost a great educationalist and a man of integrity and honour committed to the creation of the Reign of God in our world. On behalf of the AACC, we would like to assure the Dwane family of our prayers," said Dandala.

The SACC is in contact with the bereaved family, and will assist in making available details of funeral arrangements.

For more information contact: Fr Jo Mdhlela (076 560 6967 or 011 241 7816)