In a dramatic escalation of community anger over road safety, residents near the Polar Park informal settlement blocked a major thoroughfare with burning barricades on Monday, 23 September, demanding action after a car accident killed a child and injured another on two separate occasions.
The protest was sparked after 11-year-old Nomcebo Mpanza survived an accident on Sunday, 22 September, just days after another child, nine-year-old Semihle Thembelihle Njokweni, was killed in the same area. Mandisa Mpanza, Semihle’s sister, said the driver responsible showed no remorse. “The nearby children were left traumatised and we want justice because she is not the first child to be knocked down in this area, and she won’t be the last. What concerns me is that since the accident, there’s been no assistance or visibility from the driver who knocked over my sister.”
Nosipho Dlamini, Nomcebo’s older sister, said the family is not at peace as the accident has added financial burdens such as transportation and medical costs. “This adds more trauma for my sister because less than a week ago, she lost a fellow schoolmate to an accident in the same area and in the same way. She feared that she could have lost her life too. As a family, we will try to support her with all our means and we kindly request speed humps. We also kindly request road signs to signal that there are children crossing nearby so that drivers slow down.”
Michelle Lutchman, the DA councillor for Ward 48, said these incidents highlight a long-standing and critical issue on Stonebridge Drive. “For years, we have submitted numerous requests for the installation of traffic calming measures such as speed humps. I implore all motorists to exercise extreme caution on Stonebridge Drive. If any criminal action was committed by the driver, we trust the police to take appropriate measures.”
Gareth Naidoo, KZNVIP spokesperson, said the incident highlights the urgent need for road safety education, particularly for young children. “It is crucial that children are taught how to cross roads safely and that, when possible, younger children are accompanied by an adult or responsible guardian to prevent such tragedies.”
Members of the public aired their views on Facebook. One person commented: “Speed humps are needed on that road. Even though there is no drag racing, the road allows motorists to drive at speeds that won’t allow them to slow down or stop on time.” Another comment questioned why some parents leave their minors unaccompanied. A further comment read: “This is a matter for child welfare, if that still exists in South Africa. Parents should be held accountable for their offspring. The responsibility lies squarely on their shoulders, not the traffic department nor the commuters.”
