Roads of death

Eighteen people were killed in two horrific accidents in the province earlier this week. Among the deceased are a whole family of four people.

Thirteen people lost their lives near Mokopane and five more in an accident near Malamulele. Six of the 13 deceased in the Mokopane accident are from Vleifontein and the other seven from Mokopane.

The local people who were killed are a whole family, Mr Musandiwa Mudau (32), his wife Awelani Ramagoma (28) and two daughters, Mutalutshedzi (6) and Dzuvha (two weeks) and two men, Messrs Novis Mudau (34) and Norman Ralubuvhi (37). They were on their way home from Gauteng when their Polo collided head-on with another vehicle along the N1. According to emergency workers, the passengers died instantly.

The national road had to be closed to traffic for several hours to allow rescue workers to remove the bodies of those who had died and those who were still trapped under the capsized cars.

The spokesperson for the Limpopo police, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, confirmed that they have opened a culpable homicide docket.

A family representative, Mr Kenneth Ramagoma, said that the family had accepted the loss, although it was difficult to cope without them. "It also important to acknowledge the community support since we received the bad news," he said.

Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana expressed his shock about the incident and sent his condolences to the family, friends and community. He said the horrific accident had robbed the community of energetic young people. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased during this time of grief. The whole community shares the heartache and is saddened that so many lives continue to be lost on South African roads,”he said.

The mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr David Mutavhatsindi, expressed his condolences to the family and said that their loved ones would be always be remembered. “‘Understandably, it is very difficult to continue with everyday life after such a traumatic experience, and the family is in need of support,“ he said.

Ms Cynthia Van Rensburg, spokesperson of the Road Accident Fund, said that they would help the family to finance the burials.

Messrs Novis Mudau and Norman Ralubuvhi will be buried at Vleifontein tomorrow (Saturday). The family of four will be buried on Sunday at Ngwenani ya Ha- Themeli. The service will start at 06:00.

Five people were killed in an accident near Malamulele on Sunday afternoon. According to Malamulele police spokesperson W/O Alson Mapindani, the accident happened between Mavambe and Malamulele. He added that a Mercedes Benz travelling from Mavambe with four people inside had collided head-on with a Hyundai from Malamulele, which had two people inside.

"Three people died on the scene and two others later passed on at a local hospital," said Mapindani. At the time of going to press, details of the accident were still sketchy. The names of the deceased and injured were not yet available. 

The DA also sent its heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who had died in the two accidents over the weekend. According to a statement by the party, the accidents are suspected to have been caused by reckless driving and overtaking at unsafe places and that is “a clear indication that our motorists are not obeying the traffic signs on the roads.” The DA urged the MEC to identify accident hot spots across the province’s roads and to deploy sufficient traffic officials to these roads “to prevent avoidable loss of lives”.

News - Date: 05 September 2014

Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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