The municipal manager of the Makhado Municipality, Ms Faith Muthambi, escaped death on Monday evening when her Mercedes Benz crashed into a police van about 5km from the Tshakhuma market.

According to onlookers, a police van of the Levubu SAPS allegedly failed to stop at the pedestrian intersection along the Tshakhuma-Thohoyandou road. A visibly shocked Muthambi said: “I could not believe my eyes when I saw a police van getting into the road, without waiting for me to pass first. It came into the road when was I too close to it and I could not swerve to avoid it, because on either side of the road there are hills. I began applying the brakes, but all was in vain as I ended up crashing into the police vehicle, which was already on the road.

Muthambi’s vehicle, with her personal plate number “Hangwi”, is beyond repair. Her wrecked Mercedes Benz was towed to Tshisaulu SunShine Panel Beaters. When the accident happened, Muthambi was in the company of two friends, Georgina Mashau, manager at Nedbank, and another friend, Eddie, who is a teacher. Mirror also learnt that two of the injured police officers had been discharged from the local hospital, while one was transfered to the provincial hospital in Polokwane.

“I was not shocked, because I am now a big girl. What I told my friends was that 'today is our day' and I still maintain that if I was driving an ordinary vehicle, I would have died with my friends,” she claimed. She further claimed that her life was saved by the airbags and safety equipment. The municipal manager escaped the crash, but her left hand is fractured, while one of her passengers, Georgina, broke a leg. The third escaped unharmed.

In expressing his shock, the chairman of the Chairperson Association, Mr Andre Naudé, said “We wish her a speedy recovery, because we still want to continue working with her.” Naudé, who described Muthambi as a hard worker, cautioned other motorists to drive more responsibly to avoid unnecessary collisions. The acting mayor at the Makhado Municipality, Cllr FF Rumani, said that although she regards accidents as part of life, she was shocked and scared on receiving information that her municipal manager had been involved in a crash. “We are wishing her, together with all those involved in the accident, a speedy recovery. We are giving her more support to help her avoid unnecessary fatigue,” she claimed.

Capt Mashudu Malelo of the Vhembe SAPS confirmed that a case of negligent and reckless driving has been opened. “As police, we are still investigating this case and we do not want to elaborate further,” he said. It is still unknown as to when Muthambi, who is still on study leave, will return to her office.