Voortrekker Road bridge accident victim still fighting for her life

Nolwazi Mgweba (26) is fighting for her life in hospital after she and her friend, Mbali Nkosi, sustained serious injuries during a freak accident on the Voortrekker Street bridge on June 28.

Mgweba and Nkosi were caught in the crossfire of a high-speed chase between private security companies, police and robbery suspects while travelling back to their workplace in Northmead that day, just after 14:00.

The Benoni City Times reported last week that a white Audi Q5, driven by three suspects positively linked to house robberies in Rynfield, was flagged by security companies through suburb surveillance cameras while travelling in Thirteenth Avenue, Northmead.

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A high-speed chase ensued, resulting in the driver of the Audi losing control and colliding head-on with an oncoming maroon Toyota Corolla, which Mbali was driving.

Nolwazi and Mbali were treated on the scene and taken to hospital for further treatment.

Virginia Mgweba, Nolwazi’s mother, told the City Times her daughter is in a critical but stable condition at Tambo Memorial Hospital after spending a week in the ICU.

“When we visited her on July 8, we found that she had been moved from ICU to another ward and she was conscious,” the heartbroken mom said.

According to the family, Nolwazi underwent two liver operations and has suffered injuries to her skull.

Her sister, Lizeka, said a few hours before the accident Nolwazi went to collect her driver’s licence at the Benoni Licence Department.

Apparently, the two then went to Lakeside Mall to buy food and it was on their way back to the office that they were involved in the accident.

“Nolwazi excitedly WhatsApped me and my mother after getting her licence to inform us of the good news.

“Her excitement was, however, shortlived. I was shocked when I received a call from my mother telling me that Nolwazi had been hospitalised.”

Lizeka explained that the Toyota Corolla the friends were travelling in was a colleague’s car.

The family said they are aggrieved by the conduct of the police after they allegedly failed to contact them and inform them about what really happened or if a case had been opened.

“We haven’t heard from the police since the accident. They have been quiet as if nothing happened.

“We need to know if the people who caused the accident will be criminally charged. The police should also have visited the hospitals to see the victims but they haven’t done that,” Virginia said.

The Benoni family said the incident has taken a toll on them emotionally and financially.

“Making trips to the hospital every day has become increasingly expensive, more especially because I work as a domestic worker,” said Virginia.

Captain Nomsa Sekele, the spokesperson for the Benoni police, said the suspects were charged with possession of a hijacked vehicle, stolen goods and house burglary implements. She added that the investigating officer is working on the accident report.

She refuted claims that the police haven’t made contact with the family, adding that the investigating officer was denied entry at Tambo Memorial Hospital ICU when he visited the hospital to see the victims.

Mbali and Nolwazi worked at Benoni-based Glamaro, a construction business.

Their employer, Karabo Mulaudzi, said what happened to Mbali and Nolwazi is painful because this accident was not caused by reckless driving but criminals who decided to risk the lives of other motorists.

“I also feel there was negligence on the side of the responders and police because how can they give chase in a 60km zone in a busy suburb that has a school and a mall,” he added.

He also said the friends were assets to the company.

“Not having them around has placed a burden on us. Their absence has had a great impact, but we have managed to keep things afloat.”

The City Times understands that Mbali is in a stable condition at a private hospital. We reached out to her mother but the phone remained unanswered.

On July 9, the City Times spoke to Mbali, who said she is having difficulty speaking and asked the journalist to phone back at around 16:00. This call went unanswered.

Anyone who can assist the Mgweba family can contact Lizeka on 065 348 4563.

Also Read: Car accident devastates local families