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Thulamela Mayor Grace Mahosi, Makhado Mayor David Mutavhatsindi, and MEC for Transport and Safety Ms Mmapula Mokaba, photographed during their visit to the bakkie driver, Mr Thivhulawi Mugwena (right).

Accident claims 10

 

Ten people died and 18 were seriously injured when a taxi collided with a bakkie between Tiyani and Ribungwane early on Saturday morning. The taxi was transporting passengers from Johannesburg to Vhembe.

According to the police, the accident occurred at around 02:00 on Saturday morning. Five of the people killed were travelling in the bakkie and five were passengers in the taxi. Emergency workers had their hands full to dispatch all the injured to Elim Hospital, while the road had to be closed for several hours to allow rescue workers to remove the bodies. Several were trapped under the capsized taxi.

The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Ms Mmapula Mokaba, the mayors of Makhado and Thulamela, Cllrs David Mutavahtsindi and Grace Mahosi, and a spokesperson for the Road Accident Fund visited the survivors of the accident at Elim on Monday. Mokaba wished them a speedy recovery and also sent condolences to the families of the deceased. “It is miraculous that these people survived, after their taxi and bakkie were reduced to mangled wrecks. Given the dedication of our medical staff at Elim Hospital, we have no doubt that the survivors will receive the best care on their way to recovery,” Mokaba added.

The driver of the bakkie and a survivor of the accident, Mr Thivhulawi Mugwena, said the taxi was overtaking another vehicle when it collided head-on with his bakkie. Another survivor, Mr Tsivhudzo Mudau, said he could recall little about the accident. He said he saw a vehicle coming at high speed and later found himself in hospital.

Ms Cynthia van Rensburg, spokesperson for the Road Accident Fund, said that they would make available R16 000 for each funeral.

The people who died in the taxi are Samuel Mfundisi Hlavani from Madonsi, Makungu Getrude Hlungwane, Khazamula Kenneth Ngoveni, Zama Given Mathebula and Abel Aubrey Shivambu, all from Jilongo. The deceased who were in the bakkie are Shandukani Prince Mukhovha of Ha-Mashau Magweni, Ntanganedzeniu Tshikonwane of Ha- Masia Tshipuseni, Confidence Humbulani Mudau of Musina, Advance Thwalanyari of Masia-Tshipuseni and Vhonani Mudau of Ha-Mashau-Thenga.

Headman John Jilongo said the four victims from his village would have a joint funeral  with the assistance of the Thulamela Municipality. Cllr Grace Mahosi met with the affected families on Monday afternoon. All four the families were represented at a memorial service that took place that afternoon. All five the deceased from that area will be buried on Saturday morning. Xitlhavani will be buried at the Menele cemetery and the other four at Jilongo.

Numerous messages of condolences for the bereaved families reached the offices of Limpopo Mirror before going to press. They include messages from church denominations, political parties, traditional leaders and individuals.

News - Date: 27 June 2014

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Dead: Mr Advance Thwanyari of Masia-Tshipuseni.
Dead: Mr Khazamula Ngobeni of Jilongo.
Dead: Mr Abel Aubrey Shivambu of Jilongo.
Dead: Mr Zama Given Mathebula of Jilongo.
Dead: Mr Ntanganedzeni Tshikonwane of Masia-Tshipuseni.
Survivor: Ms Gloria Hlungwane of Diepkloof.
Survivor: Mr Tsivhudzo Mudau of Mashau.
 

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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.

Email: [email protected]

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