At a time when the rest of the country is still celebrating the dawn of the new year, a Mutale family has been plunged into deep mourning after tragically losing seven of its members in a vehicle accident.

The extended Mushaniki family of Tshixwadza-Mapuloni tragically met their untimely death. The driver of the Isuzu bakkie they were using from a funeral of a family member, Mr Julius Mushaniki at Chavani, lost control after hitting a pedestrian, before rolling several times, killing them instantly. The incident happened at the Mutale River bridge at the entrance to Tshilamba on Saturday afternoon.

The seven, Ndoweni Mulaudzi (47), Jack Khashane (36), Solomon Mushaniki (45), Mukhethoni Mudau (36) Mmbulaheni Mushaniki (44), Andries Mushaniki (69) and his son Vuledzani (31), all breadwinners, lost their lives in the incident.

Traffic came to a halt while rescue workers tried to retrieve the mangled wreck from the waters of the Mutale River. Traffic police had to battle to clear the road of curious onlookers who blocked the road in a bid to have a glimpse of the scene. One of the onlookers was overheard saying that the incident could be the work of witchcraft. “Just have a look; a car cannot fly for such a long distance. Somebody must be responsible for this,” he said.

Narrating the incident, Fhatuwani Mushaniki, a family member, said they had just buried their beloved father and people were returning to their respective areas, when the news came that some of those who had attended the funeral had not reached home.  “We were surprised as all who attended left in good spirits after burying our beloved father, and we did not suspect that a tragedy of this nature could befall our family. We are really shattered,” he said.

Fhatuwani said they were still in a period of mourning after the loss of their father. “The latest incident has left us with no strength to move on with our lives. We do not even know what wrong we have done but we are just praying to God that He gives us answers, so that no one is blamed for the deaths. We are putting all our hope and trust in God,” he said.

Fhatuwani it was sad that all the deceased were breadwinners who had people who looked up to them for support. “Look, schools will be opening soon and these children will have no one to look after them and to pay for their schooling. We are really at a loss,” he said. He pleaded with the executive mayor of the Vhembe District, Cllr Falaza Mdaka, who happened to be visiting the families to intervene and help ease the plight of the families.

One of the deceased, Solomon Mushaniki, a schoolteacher at Ratshilumela Secondary School, has been described as a community builder who had contributed a lot in his community at Tshixwadza-Mapuloni and the surrounding areas.

Mr Maxwell Nemadzivhanani, a member of the Limpopo provincial legislature, described him as a person who was always ready to help develop his community. “Most of the developments in this area can be attributed to him,” he said.

Immediately after word spread of the accident, structures in the area assembled and started task teams in the different villages where the deceased lived. The task teams met on Monday and decided to merge and form one team that would facilitate the funeral arrangements. During the meeting, it was decided that the seven be buried together during a mass funeral to be held on Saturday. At the time of going to press, funeral arrangements were at an advanced stage.

Limpopo police spokesperson in Vhembe Insp Nkanukeni Raedani confirmed the accident and said the police were investigating.

The executive mayor of the Vhembe District, Cllr Falaza Mdaka, has urged members of the bereaved families and all stakeholders involved in the preparations of the funerals to be united and work together with their municipalities in order to ensure they get a dignified funeral. Mdaka and his entourage, which included the mayor of Mutale, Cllr Lucas Manyuha, the Speaker of the Mutale Municipality, Ms Maria Mamedzi, ward councillors and other community leaders, visited the bereaved families last Thursday.