Tragedy on N4 as youngster dies

The accident on Sunday, October 11 happened just after the Matthews Phosa off-ramp at Vosman.

Mr Duan Viljoen, driver of the vehicle that hit Mthandeka Mbele, said he did not see the little boy until it was too late.
According to Mthandeka’s father, Mr Phillip Mhlabane, they were making their way to a hiking spot. They were on their way back from Extension 5 to Bronkhorstspruit, where Mthandeka attends Sihluziwe Primary School. He was only in Grade One.

“We were waiting for cars to pass before we tried to make a safe crossing. Mthandeka suddenly started crossing the road,” the father sobbed on the scene.
He was sitting only a few meters away from his son’s body, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
A shocked Viljoen whispered over and over: “The little boy had yoghurt in his hand.”
Viljoen said he was coming from Swadini after a short break. The university he is attending reopened and he is now focusing on his studies.

“It is not fair for any parent to bury a child. My heart goes out to the family,” he said.
Mhlabane described Mthandeka as a bright child who never stopped laughing.
A family member said Mthandeka means ‘loved one’.

Capt Klaas Maloka, spokesperson for Vosman SAPS said three accidents wherein pedestrians lost their lives happened on the same stretch of road within three months.
“Residents ignore the wall that was put up, preventing them from crossing the busy highway. They will walk around the wall, which stretches more than a kilometre and time and again put their own lives at risk trying to cross the road,” Capt Maloka said.

Attempts from the SAPS to highlight the dangers of crossing the N4 seem to be falling on deaf ears.
“Again we urge and plead that residents not cross the highway, it is sad to say goodbye to a child who had so much to live for. It is heartbreaking to try and console a family who is drowning in tears and sorrow,” Capt Maloka said.

What preventitive measures could be done to stop innocent people from dying? Comment below.