Lekwa-councillor and a colleague die in horrendous collision on Secunda Road
They were burnt beyond recognition and the sight of the white shrouds readied them for the hearse.
The smouldering fire, coupled with the blazing heat on the road to Secunda on Monday, March 7 at 13:30, testified to a horrific accident.
Two vehicles crashed into each other near Heymans Kole.
The collision between a grey, Toyota Yaris and white, Hyundai H1 had Standerton Police, Lekwa’s traffic department, emergency personnel, GTR Towing Services, Morgenzon Fire Brigade and forensic services on the scene.
“We got a call at 12:30,” Allan Higgs of the towing company from Secunda said.
The death toll could not be verified at first, since information suggested that three occupants in the Toyota were trapped in a car, burning steadily.
It was later confirmed that Smanga Lawrence Nhlapho and his colleague, Veli Mahlangu, burnt to death.
The Toyota overturned during the crash and the Hyundai was damaged on the right-hand side for starters.
While the traffic department watched the vehicles lining up to and from Standerton, the occupants in the Toyota had to be cut loose.
They were burnt beyond recognition and the sight of the white shrouds readied them for the hearse.
According to a bystander, the driver and passenger in the Hyundai were transported to hospital.
Traffic was regulated and trucks and cars could pass in a single lane after a while.
The Standerton Advertiser contacted the communications manager of the Lekwa Municipality, Thobeka Mtshiselwa, on Tuesday, March 8 to clear up conflicting reports as to whether Morgenzon’s fire brigade or Lekwa’s fire brigade extinguished the fire.
Mtshiselwa replied the same day that Morgenzon firefighters attended to the fire.
Louis Delani Thabethe, executive mayor, sent condolences to councillor Nhlapho’s family, friends and colleagues the past week.
“He was going to play a pivotal role in improving the lives of the people of Lekwa,” the mayor said.
Characteristics such as dedication, energy, charisma, humour, neatness and a God-fearing attitude were attributed to him.
Gert Sibande District Municipality also issued a statement to convey their shock and sadness about the death of councillor Nhlapho.
The speaker, Busisiwe Sekhonde sent their heartfelt condolences to the Nhlapho family, his Lekwa Municipality family and the Lekwa community at large.
“The local government sector has lost a colleague and a leader, who was passionate about service delivery and making people’s lives better,” the statement concluded.
“We also urge road users to practice safe and cautious driving by obeying all road rules, to arrive alive at destinations.”
