[imagesource: eNCA / Samkele Maseko]

Early this morning, Gavin Watson was involved in a fatal accident that claimed his life.

The CEO of Bosasa, which has since rebranded as African Global Group, was involved in a “horrific” crash close to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Reporters shared images of the car wreck, and eNCA broadcast live from the scene, as questions began to circulate about the details of the crash.

A case of culpable homicide has been opened, and News24 has uncovered some interesting events from yesterday (Sunday):

…Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson parked his metallic blue BMW X5 at the company’s Krugersdorp office before he signed out a company Toyota Corolla for the weekend, in which he died on Monday morning.

The controversial businessman also called a prayer meeting of directors at the company’s office on Sunday morning.

Former colleagues of Watson are puzzled why he would have left his own luxury vehicle at the office in exchange for a vehicle similar to those used by the company’s drivers for trips to OR Tambo Airport.

Even more puzzling is the fact that the Corolla Watson was driving at the time of the crash had a manual gearbox, with former Bosasa fleet manager Frans Vorster saying that Watson could only drive an automatic.

News24 also reports that another director had questioned Watson after Sunday’s prayer meeting, asking why he would sign out a manual car.

I think we would all say the same thing if someone we knew suddenly switched from automatic to manual.

According to Papa Leshabane, Bosasa/African Global Operations spokesperson, Watson switched cars because his regular vehicle, the BMW X5, had mechanical problems.

Others have questioned the accident site itself:

An eyewitness who drove past the scene shortly after the accident said one of the vehicle’s doors was flung at least 30m away from the wreckage.

“Nobody goes into that airport there at full speed, you can’t, because of the curved road,” the witness said.

For those wondering where all of the sand came from, here’s the Sowetan:

Watson’s vehicle was a complete wreck with its front almost entirely reduced to pieces and the driver’s side severely damaged.

The front windscreen was shattered from what appeared to be a huge impact during the crash.

Ekurhuleni Emergency Services had to put sand on the road to cover the blood stains  and motor fluids that had spilt out.

Whilst social media is awash with all sorts of unproven and unfounded rumours, there’s no denying that the timing of the car switch, as well as the decision to go from automatic to manual, will arouse suspicion.

[sources:news24&sowetan]