Parliament's presiding officers on Tuesday expressed sadness at the deaths of three South African athletes over the past five days.
National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, her deputy Lechesa Tsenoli, National Council of Provinces chairwoman Thandi Modise and deputy chairman Raseriti Tau offered their condolences.
"These were all inspiring young people whose premature passing has shocked us all and robbed our youth of exceptional sporting role-models," they said.
"Our hearts go out to their families, friends, and the nation as we all come to terms with this loss."
On Friday, Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, who also carried the South African flag at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, died in a car accident.
On Saturday, professional female boxer Phindile Mwelase died after being in a coma for two weeks. The light welterweight boxer slipped into a coma after being knocked out in a fight against Liz Butler in Pretoria on October 10.
Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, while visiting his girlfriend, singer and actress Kelly Khumalo, on Sunday night.
National police commissioner Riah Phiyega announced on Monday that she had set up a multi-disciplinary task team with its members drawn from forensics, crime intelligence, and visible policing to handle the Meyiwa murder case.
A reward of R250,000 was being offered for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the killers.
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