Tragedy hits family of Transport employee as eight die in Eshowe bakkie accident

A KZN Transport Department employee has been hit by tragedy as two of his children were amongst those who died in the first major Eshowe bakkie accident which claimed eight lives on R66 (Shakaland) between Eshowe and Nkwaleni recently.

Speaking to Igalelo at a memorial service hosted by the Transport Department and the KZN Department of Education, Transport road works foreman Mr Mbuyiseni Ngema 939) said his late son, Themba Ngema (13) and daughter Bawinile Ngema (5), were amongst the nine family members who were accompanied by friends and relatives in the overloaded bakkie to bury his younger brother who had passed away on the same week.

Addressing the mourners, Transport head Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa said the driver of the bakkie who also died was approaching traffic officers who were reprimanding a bad road user. Upon seeing the police he then tried to turn back and in the process hit a vehicle and overturned.

KZN MEC for Transport, Safety and Security, Mr Bheki Cele said it was unjustifiable that the province should bury twenty people in two weeks, including the fourteen who died in Richards Bay. He said it was unbecoming that the province was burying mothers and their children who are dying in road accidents due to human error i.e. overloading.

Mr Cele said "The province is still bleeding from the horrible memory of school children who died as a result of drivers playing a game called chicken. We must not bury our children because they give us purpose and meaning, something to live for, our future, our hope – the only thing that sustains people’s interest in life is hope, hope that there will be a better future for our children."

He said that parliament must look at empowering school authorities, including teachers to help in deciding as to which vehicle should transport school children, depending on its roadworthiness.

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