Fatal N1 collision: Family of four laid to rest
The Machubeni family were killed in a collision on the N1 outside Louis Trichardt recently.
LIMPOPO – The family of four that were killed in a collision on the N1 outside Louis Trichardt recently, were laid to rest in Polokwane on Saturday.
Dr Percy Machubeni, an oral hygienist at the Donald Fraser Hospital, his wife, Betty Phuti Kgare and two children, Prince and Phenyo Machubeni died in a head-on collision on the N1 north outside Louis Trichardt on Thursday, 3 June.
The incident occurred at 19:30 when the Machubeni family’s vehicle collided with the vehicle of 57-year-old police officer, Lt Col Talifhani Samuel Magadani, who was stationed at Protea Glen SAPS in Gauteng. Police, fire-fighters and emergency services workers arrived at the scene within minutes, and struggled for hours to free the victims, who were trapped in the mangled wreck.
Magadani and the Machubeni family were certified dead on the scene. The passenger in Magadani’s verhicle was critically injured and rushed to hospital. This fatal accident was the second one on this stretch of road within 48 hours. Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, said Machubeni’s death is a great loss to the department and the health fraternity.
“We are devastated by his passing. He dedicated his life to serve and change his community. We are also sad about the loss of his wife and two children.
“Our condolences go to the family and we pray that the Lord will comfort them in this sad time,” said Ramathuba.
Limpopo Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, said this is one of the worst accidents to have happened in the area so far.
“We would like to convey our condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones.
We once again call on all motorists to practice caution and obey the traffic rules, more specifically to adhere to the speed limit,” he said.
Mike Maringa, Provincial Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, said that reckless driving might have contributed to the collision as one of the drivers apparently overtook into oncoming traffic.
