Six of the 10 people who were tragically killed in a horrific crash along the R34 in Vryheid, near Lakeside, have been identified.
The victims, who included two toddlers, were all relatives of the Mhlongo family. Siduduzo Xulu, 27, Nsindiso Xulu, 25, Nomvelo Buthelezi, 20, Mlamuli Zungu, 26, Nqobani Manyoni, 5, Sinovuyo Sibisi, 3, and 23-year-old Samukelisiwe Simelane died when the driver of the Mazda 3 they were travelling in allegedly failed to stop at a stop-street and then collided head-on with a Ford Ranger, Tuesday morning, 6 April. MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni who visited the families of the deceased in the KwaNongoma area said there were no appropriate words to express her condolences to the Mhlongo family. “It is a very difficult moment for this family. Nevertheless, we have identified challenges on the road where this accident has happened. As the department of transport we are going to be intervening with regards to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.” The accident occurred shortly after 11am on Tuesday. The Ford Ranger, carrying six occupants, collided head-on with a Mazda 3 which was carrying seven occupants, claiming the lives of seven people at the scene of the accident. Six critically injured survivors were treated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to hospital, where three more people succumbed to their injuries.
