FOLLOW UP: Families of Boksburg bus crash victims demand justice and accountability
Promises of accountability and closure have faded into silence. Four years later, the families of Annatjie van Niekerk and Livhuwani Mahashe are still waiting to learn what really happened.
Four years have passed since a bus accident claimed the lives of Annatjie van Niekerk (61) and Livhuwani Mahashe (44) outside the Boksburg Civic Centre Clinic.
The incident occurred at around 08:00 on April 6, 2021, when a municipal bus driver lost control of the vehicle, fatally striking Van Niekerk, a resident of Witfield, and Mahashe, a security guard from the Ramaphosa informal settlement.
Despite repeated promises from authorities, the families of the victims say they have been left in the dark about what caused the fatal crash, whether anyone has been held accountable and why the investigation appears to have stalled.
“We have been from pillar to post,” said a frustrated Ntambu, the brother of the late Livhuwani Mahashe.
“To this day, we still don’t know what caused the accident. We were promised assistance and feedback but nothing has come of it. It feels like they want us to forget.”
Also Read: Probe into fatal bus crash at Civic Centre clinic drags on
Mahashe claims the City promised to help with funeral arrangements and to provide feedback on the investigation, but neither happened. Instead, the funeral was largely covered by Livhuwani’s employer, Lulama LL Security, while the municipality and police have remained silent.
Adding to the family’s pain, the post-mortem report has yet to be shared with them, and their attempts to seek compensation through the Road Accident Fund have failed because Livhuwani’s daughter is over the qualifying age.
“It’s been years, and we still don’t know the truth. Our sister’s life mattered. We just want justice and closure.”
Annatjie’s daughter, Marietjie van Niekerk, expressed her disappointment with the Ekurhuleni Metro.
“We have not received any feedback from Ekurhuleni. What is particularly disheartening is that they have not even offered an apology. In the year following my mother’s passing, they sent me roses, but there has been no communication.
“We haven’t received a post-mortem report yet. I am simply asking for an acknowledgment that a mistake was made. We were also promised counselling, but that never materialised.”
Marietjie added that the family is taking legal action against the metro.
“We just want justice.”
Zweli Dlamini, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni, said the matter has been handed over to Boksburg SAPS due to the fatalities, as they must assist with the investigation.
The Boksburg Advertiser is still awaiting comment from the police regarding the investigation.
Also Read: Families of deadly metro bus crash still in limbo
