Community mourns as memorial service honours victims of Isipingo crash

“He was a quiet and respectful child who never backchatted when you gave him an instruction,” was how Samkelo Sithole’s grandmother described him.

She was speaking at a mass prayer and memorial service held yesterday at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban, in honour of the 11 people who died when a minibus taxi and a truck collided in Isipingo last week.

Samkelo, a Grade 11 learner at Swelihle High School in Umlazi’s C Section, was among those who died in the crash. The aspiring mathematics and science pupil was travelling to school at the time when his life was cut short.

The memorial service drew large numbers of mourners to the stadium, as community members gathered to comfort bereaved families and pay tribute to the victims.

Heartbreaking cries, visible despair and deep grief were etched on the faces of many in the crowd as various speakers delivered tributes to the deceased, while clergy members from different church groups offered hope and encouragement to the families.

The accident occurred on Wanda Cele Road.

Allegations have emerged that the truck’s tyres were worn out and that it crashed into an overloaded taxi, claiming the lives of 11 people, with several others sustaining injuries. Police confirmed that a case of culpable homicide is being investigated.

Swelihle High School principal Zandile Sithole was among the speakers at the memorial event arranged by KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Transport. Sithole said Samkelo had high academic aspirations.

“Samkelo was doing pure mathematics, physical sciences, agricultural sciences, life sciences and languages. We never thought he would leave us so soon,” she said.

She added that from the day they received news of Samkelo’s passing, the school had fully supported the family.

“We supported the family as a school. We went to the Isipingo police station with them and saw the vehicle he was travelling in,” she said.

Sithole described Samkelo as an obedient child.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Samkelo’s uncle, Sibongiseni Ncanana, said they were deeply hurt by the loss.

“There are things I promised myself I would never allow to happen to my nephew. However, that will not happen now. I will not cry a lot because it was God’s plan and there is nothing we can do,” he said.

Samkelo lived with his father in Illovo on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast.

Family members of Bangeni Shange, another crash victim, were also present at the memorial service. Mandla Shange, speaking on behalf of the family, said Bangeni had been on her way to Isipingo to withdraw money. He described her as a prayerful person.

According to the family, Bangeni prayed with a child in her care before leaving home, saying: “Oh good Lord, as I go out, please bring me back alive.”

“Unfortunately, she never came back alive,” said Shange.

Sibongiseni Shange, the deceased’s eldest son, said the family was informed of her passing by the child she cared for.

“The accident happened at 8am and we received the report at around 10am. We tried calling her, but her phone rang unanswered,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said the department would allow investigations currently under way by the South African Police Service to proceed without interference.

He expressed concern that the owners of the truck involved in the accident had not engaged with the families of the victims.

Sibiya said various entities, including taxi organisation SANTACO, were supporting the affected families, but the truck owners had failed to make contact.

He added that teams from the Road Traffic Inspectorate, the Road Safety Directorate and the Department of Transport were working with other agencies to address issues such as drunk driving.

Authorities would also intensify action against motorists driving without the required documentation and increase visibility across KwaZulu-Natal, Sibiya said.

DAILY NEWS