Former minister of population development Jac Rabie has died at the age of 69, Beeld reported on Thursday.
According to Rabie’s family, his death was the result of ”protracted pain and suffering”, which he endured after he saw his wife, Sandra (47), murdered two years ago.
Rabie’s son, Brian, told the newspaper on Wednesday that the physical and emotional stress of a drawn-out court case also took its toll on his father.
”His body simply folded under the stress and pain.”
Rabie’s wife was murdered in December 2006 after the couple were overpowered by robbers at their home in Windmill Park on the East Rand.
Sandra was hit over the head with a pistol and strangled.
Rabie was also attacked and tied up and electrical goods were stolen from his car.
A young relative of the Rabies and two other men were arrested in connection with the murder but the case was postponed several times in the Johannesburg High Court.
Rabie’s son said his father was admitted to the Sunward Park hospital in Boksburg last month and had been diagnosed with cerebral atrophy, which started affecting his organs.
”Doctors said the trauma aggravated the disease.
”He was due to testify in court on April 14, but was too ill. The case was then postponed to October,” he told Beeld.
Rabie entered the political arena in 1969. — Sapa