The police in the Tshilwavhusiku area are investigating a case of culpable homicide, following the death of three people, a mother and her two daughters, in a horrific accident on the Sinthumule/Kutama road at Ravele on Monday night.

According Tshilwavhusiku SAPS Station Comminissioner Col Freddy Shirinda, Ms Masala Maliaga (36), and her twin daughters, Rendani and Aluwani (6), were on the way home when the accident occurred. She was driving in a Nissan 1400 bakkie . Along the way, her car collided head-on with an tipper truck. It is alleged that she tried to avoid a stray cow when the accident occured. Ms Maliaga and her daughters, who were residents of Madodonga in the Kutama area, died instantly.

Shirinda said the police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the accident. Members of the emergency services used the "Jaws of Life" to remove the bodies of the deceased from the wreckage.

A family representative, Ms Rose Maliaga, said that the family had accepted the loss, although it was difficult to cope without them. "It also important to acknowledge the community support since we received the bad news," she said.

Vhamusanda Vho-Ntanganedzeni Kutama said although the family, friends and community accepted what had happened, it would be difficult to forget the horrific deaths that had robbbed the community of an energetic woman and two beautiful girls.

The stretch of road is notorious for its stray cattle and has, over the last couple of years, been the scene of many similar vehicle accidents.