A promising first-year student at the Tswane University of Technology, Ms Mulalo Nemaranzhe (19), was buried during an emotional funeral at the Gondeni village burial site on Saturday.

She was killed in a horrific taxi accident along Makhado (Louis Trichardt)-Thohoyandou road on the eve of Good Friday. Eight people were killed when they were trapped inside a burning taxi. The burial of the deceased was delayed because they were burnt beyond recognition and DNA tests were done to determine the identities of the deceased.

Mulalo’s mother, Ms Virginia Nemaaname, wept uncontrollably during the ceremony, while several family members fainted during the event.

The executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Tshitereke Matibe, urged motorists to keep the rules of the road to avoid more accidents.

A close friend and classmate of Mulalo, Ms Nkateko Baloyi,  said she had lost someone very close to her as they always shared ideas.