Ekurhuleni mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, today visited the Tembisa families of the two employees who were killed in Saturday’s refuse removal truck accident.

Mayor presents acceptance speech

He also visited three of the men who are still in hospital.

Nine people were in the empty Ekurhuleni refuse removal truck when it overturned on Soutpansberg Drive in Van Riebeeck Park. Two were killed and one was critically injured.

According to mayoral spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, the driver of the truck sustained minor injuries and was released from Union Hospital in Alberton yesterday.

Esphac Nkuna, who was a passenger, was airlifted to Union Hospital due to his critical injuries. His one leg had since been amputated.

Another employee, Thembikile James, was taken to Arwyp Medical Centre by ambulance. He was moved from ICU to the high care unit yesterday.

“I am still experiencing some pain on the right side of my hip but I am stable,” said James during the mayor’s visit.

“The municipality gives us a platform to be a family and work together as a team. That is why it is so important for me to show my respect and empathy towards the families who have lost a brother, son or husband and to those who have survived this critical accident,” said Masina.

Masina also spoke to two of the employees, Banela Dumela (30) and Lucky Ramaano (25), who sustained minor injuries, at the Kempton Park waste management centre in Spartan.

“Physically we are fine but emotionally we are still unstable,” said an emotional Ramaano.

The mayor thanked the employees for their hard work and told them to take time off and rest in order to speed up their recovery.

Investigations are currently underway by the metro to determine the cause of the accident in efforts to prevent future occurrences.