What was supposed to be a dignified send-off for a senior family member ended in tragedy when two members of the same family died and more than 20 were injured when the driver of the truck they were travelling in lost control and the vehicle rolled several times before coming to a halt. Two family members, Tshiwela Kwinda-Ramphabana (20) and Emely Kwinda (11), died while 10-year-old Surprise Kwinda is still in hospital after suffering serious injuries in the accident.

According to Edward Kwinda, whose truck was involved in the accident, it happened on the way to the funeral for his late brother. He was to be buried the following day. “As family members, we had to arrive at his homestead the night before to arrange a dignified funeral for him. I offered my truck to ferry all the family members as the distance from our village to the place where he was to be buried was far,” he said. As fate would have it, the grieving family members boarded the truck and started on a journey of no return for two members of the family.

Kwinda said he did not make use of the truck himself as he had another small car. It is alleged that the driver of the truck, who happened to be a young man who is also part of the family, drove the truck carelessly and was allegedly intoxicated.

Survivors said the truck was swerving from one side of the road to the other and was travelling at a very high speed when the driver lost control and the truck rolled over.

Kwinda had to be hospitalized after collapsing when hearing about the deaths and injuries of his family members and he could not attend the funeral of his brother. “I am at a loss of words. I cannot even explain what is happening to our family. This is a great and sad loss to our entire family,” said the grieving father.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Musina municipality, Cllr Caroline Mahasela, and her entourage of high-ranking officials paid the family a visit and offered condolences.

Addressing the grieving family, Mahasela said the family should know that the municipality shared their grief. “We know it is painful to lose loved ones, but we would like the family to accept it as it is. This is not the time to point fingers, but for the family to be more united than ever. We will be with you and give you the necessary support wherever possible,” she said.

Tshamutumbu Police spokesperson Constable Peggy Ramavhunga confirmed the incident. “We are investigating culpable homicide charges,” she said.