Five dead and two survive horror CBD accident

POLOKWANE – Her last moments spent with her brother, John Hollander (29) from Westenburg, involved an argument over bread and eggs.

“If I had known that was the last time I was going to see him, I would have taken the moment to tell him how much I love him, instead of arguing over something so unimportant and silly. Never waste time on stupid arguments, you never know if it is the last time you will see that person,” his sister, Marcell said.

John died in a motor-vehicle accident on the corner of Thabo Mbeki and Landdros Maré Street in the early hours of Friday morning.

He was the third born of four children. John’s mother, Elizabeth, was still too traumatised to speak to Review earlier this week.

His family described John as a very quiet person who loved making jokes and was very protective of his family. Marcell said his death would leave a huge gap in the family.

“Since my father’s death about 10 years ago, my brother became the man of the house. I could talk to him about anything and ask him for advice; he would always listen and help me where he could.

“I am going to miss him so much. My brother’s death made me realise that life is short and one has to make the best of every moment you have with your loved ones,” Marcell said.

According to Marcell, John had a lot of friends and he enjoyed life.

“His favourite thing to do was to sit in front of the TV and watch cartoons. My brother was a very loving person, but he hated it if someone woke him up when he was sleeping. He always said: ‘Leave me, let me sleep no matter how late it is. When I am ready I will wake up’,” Marcell recalled.

While the family is still busy finalising the funeral arrangements, it has been confirmed that the funeral will take place on Saturday.

In the motor-vehicle accident that claimed his life, John and and three friends were travelling in a white sedan in Thabo Mbeki Street when their vehicle collided with another sedan that was travelling in Landdros Maré Street. There were also four people in the other vehicle.

Capt Mamphaswa Seabi, provincial police spokesperson, said the two vehicles overturned after colliding before they came to a standstill.

“Five people were certified dead by paramedics at the scene and three people were taken to hospital for medical attention. One of the three people sustained minor injuries and was released from hospital the following day and the others sustained serious injuries and are still in hospital,” Seabi said.

A case of culpable homicide was being investigated by the Polokwane police, he confirmed.

“It is still unknown how the accident happened and police investigations continue.

Speed and the possibility that one of the drivers disregarded a red traffic light are some of the possibilities that could be considered to have been the cause of the accident,” Seabi said.

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