MEDIA STATEMENT

MASS FUNERAL FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE INGELI FOREST ROAD TRAGEDY

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S'bu Ndebele, together with local Amakhosi, councillors, MPs, MPLs, church leaders and leaders from various other sectors will attend the mass funeral service for eight of the 17 victims of the Ingeli Forest minibus taxi road tragedy. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, 3 March 2001 at the Matatiele North-End Stadium, Matatiele at 10H00.

The Ingeli Forest minibus taxi road tragedy occurred on Saturday, 17 February 2001 at approximately 10:30 on the N2 between Harding and Kokstad. Regarded as one of the worst accidents in KwaZulu-Natal, 17 people were killed instantly when the minibus taxi in which they were travelling was hit head-on by a truck travelling in the opposite direction.

The eight bodies will lie in state at the Matatiele North-End Stadium, thereafter proceeding to the respective areas where they will be laid to rest. Three bodies will proceed to Lesotho for burial.

The eight victims to be buried on Saturday are:

• Mohatiele Thabo Antony (Driver) - Male - 49 years
• Peo Ntebo Patience - Female - 6 years
• Mokoena Businela Tadie - Female - 64 years
• Khathangana Nosivumile Antony - Male - 29 years
• Akhosi Nare Kaynot - Male - 51 years
• Moiketsi Joanese Tohlang - Male - 29 years (Lesotho National)
• Motsie Alexis Tieo - Male - 27 years (Lesotho National)
• Ramoeletsi Mokoto Alinah - Female - 66 years (Lesotho National)

Other Victims:

• Maphela Viginia Leetoane - Female - 51 years
• Ntabeni Elizabeth - Female - 68 years
• Mohlakoane Leteane - Male - 59 years
• Majakisane General Mayile - Male - 49 years
• Tsotetsi Lebohang Andreas - Male - 25 years (Lesotho National)
• Molefe Solomon Mojake - Male - 41 years

An appeal is also made to the Nzama family in iMpendle to immediately contact Inspector Sigwebela from the Harding Police Station on (039) 433 1055, as well as the public at large to assist with the identification of a remaining corpse at the Harding mortuary.

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