Trichardt accident victims to be buried this weekend
The bakkie's driver has since appeared in the Secunda Magistrate's Court, facing seven counts of culpable homicide and negligent driving. He will appear again on January 27.
The joy of winning a soccer match was short-lived for Trichardt FC when a bakkie knocked down and killed seven of their players and supporters on January 17, with others admitted to hospital with mild to serious injuries. The accident took place next to the D508 in Holfontein close to the soccer field and their residences.
One of the deceased, Siyabonga Zulu (18), was accepted to pursue his engineering studies in one of the country’s institutions of higher learning after passing his 2019 NSC certificate with flying colours.
Itos Zulu, his uncle, said: “We are so saddened about the whole incident. My nephew only had a fracture on his leg, but he couldn’t make it. He had already told us that he was going to study in the University of KwaZulu-Natal, but he will no longer pursue his dreams because of this tragic accident. We were expecting a lot from him but all our hope is gone now. We are so saddened,” said Zulu. The deceased will be buried at Sheepmore over the weekend.
The grieving family of 27-year-old Khayalethu Dlamini told Mpumalanga Mirror that he was always joyful and a helpful person. On Sunday he woke up and cooked his favourite meal for breakfast, which he shared with his uncle,Vusi Mthethwa. “He was in a happy mood. He ate the same meal twice, in the morning and before going for the match that afternoon. I didn’t know he was enjoying his meal for the last time with us. We were shuttered when we were called to the scene, because we didn’t expect any of this to happen,” he said.
“I couldnt recognise his body at the scene because it was dark, he was badly injured and a distance away from the rest of the others,” added Mthethwa. Dlamini will be buried on Sunday in Piet Retief.
Some of the parents told Mpumalanga News that some of them were hesitant to allow their children to play at the field again. “I had even burned my son’s soccer boots. I won’t allow him to play in that field again,” said Ntombi Nkosi.
The deceased are Mduduzi Dlamini, Khayalethu Dlamini, Siyabonga Zulu, Melusi Masuku, Gilbert Mokgotho, Yasin Alibbi and Wayn Chamoso. Alibbi has been cremated while the six others will be buried by their families at their respective homes around KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and different parts of the province.
The accident left the community traumatised, resulting in them calling on government to put in place more safety measures.
“We appreciate the speed bumps erected after the accident, but we still need streetlights and other basic services in the area, because it is very dark during the night. More road signs to caution drivers about pedestrians and schoolchildren crossing the road are also needed,” added Lekhatho Letuka, one of the soccer players. “I am glad to be alive, but still there is too much pain; we are hurting.”
The MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Gabisile Shabalala, visited the victims’ families on Wednesday.
Comforting them, she told them that government was with them in their pain. Shabalala called on the justice system to take its course in ensuring justice in the case.
The bakkie’s driver has since appeared in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court, facing seven counts of culpable homicide and negligent driving. He will appear again on January 27.
