A grieving mother is demanding justice after her 18-year-old daughter died from severe injuries after a taxi allegedly struck and dragged her along a pedestrian crossing in uMhlanga. Sarah Govender, a resident of Trenance Manor, was critically injured on Thursday, 8 October, while crossing Armstrong Avenue near Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
She succumbed to her injuries on Saturday, 10 October, after spending two days in hospital.
Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, Sarah’s mother, Jenny Govender, said that the family was devastated by the loss of their daughter, whose life was cut short just weeks before her 19th birthday. “We are deeply troubled by the circumstances surrounding Sarah’s death and the lack of feedback on the investigation.
We just want justice for Sarah and for the person responsible for her death to face the full might of the law. What happened to our daughter was an eye opener for us and we do not want another family to go through this pain,” she said.
According to Jenny, Sarah and a friend had been dropped off at Sky Aviation College in uMhlanga by her father at approximately 5.50am, as per their daily routine. With classes only due to begin at 9am, the two friends decided to make a quick trip to Gateway.
Witnesses allegedly told the family that a taxi travelling at high speed struck Sarah on a pedestrian crossing and dragged her before coming to a stop. According to Jenny, another taxi passenger witnessed the incident and intervened, insisting that the driver should not leave the two young women unattended.
The driver subsequently transported Sarah to uMhlanga Hospital, where her family was alerted to the incident. Jenny, who works at Hospital but had been off sick that day, said: “I received a call from the hospital’s trauma unit at around 7.30am informing me about the incident. Some of my colleagues knew my daughter and recognised her.”
Doctors later informed the family that Sarah had suffered multiple severe internal injuries, including fractures to both ribs and both legs, serious pelvic injuries, damage to her urethra, a lacerated liver, and injuries to her lungs and heart.
Sarah was initially treated at uMhlanga Hospital but was later transferred to eThekwini Hospital for trauma intensive care after losing a significant amount of blood. Despite medical intervention, Sarah succumbed to her injuries on Saturday, 10 October.
The family is now calling for accountability and action to address concerns about speeding vehicles along Armstrong Avenue. Jenny said that the family had opened a case with Durban North SAPS but was distressed by what she described as a lack of feedback after witness statements were taken. EThekwini District SAPS spokesperson Captain Carmen Rhynes confirmed that Durban North SAPS was investigating a case of culpable homicide.
She said no arrest had been made and the investigation was ongoing.
Jenny said Sarah, who would have celebrated her birthday on 23 November, had already mapped out her future. “She hoped to secure a job at the airport after completing college and work her way up in the aviation industry. Her biggest dream was to become a pilot, with New York at the top of her list of places she wanted to visit. She had everything set out and written down. She knew what she wanted to do and when. She even pre-planned her birthday from the outfit to the menu. It saddens us that she will no longer get to live out her dreams and everything she had planned for her life,” said Jenny.
“We already miss everything about Sarah – her voice, the love she poured out onto our family and her big, warm hugs. Our home was always lively, but has become lonely and quiet without her. She was a loving, outgoing and ambitious young woman who had so much to live for,” added Jenny.
Sarah’s funeral service was held on Saturday, 17 October, where family and friends gathered to pay their final respects. She is survived by her beloved parents, sister, grandmother, as well as extended family and friends who will continue to cherish her memory.
