‘Lotto Man’ dies in tragic crash

LUCK ran out for 30-year-old Nhlanhla ‘Budha’ Dlamini on Monday afternoon when his powerful Mercedes Benz crashed into a bakkie at high speed.

In 2014, Nhlanhla who lived in Ngwelezane won the national lottery jackpot of R18-million – and life suddenly seemed much less gloomy.

Sadly, he died on impact together with his passenger, Siyanda Gumede, on the R102 near the Felixton off-ramp just after 4.30pm.

The V8 convertible he was driving crumpled beyond recognition as it rolled multiple times.

Both north- and south-bound lanes were closed for nearly an hour as emergency services worked to clear the scene.

The driver of the bakkie and both passengers were taken to hospital in a critical condition and it is believed they are recovering well.

While the exact cause of the crash remains subject of police investigation, an eye-witness told the Zululand Observer the Mercedes had been seen driving at high speed, overtaking other vehicles just minutes before the crash.

Before ‘Bhuda’ became rich, he worked at the well-known Maqhude shisanyama in Ngwelezane, braaing meat and earning just R10 per customer.

Within minutes of a post on the Zululand Observer Facebook page, dozens of comments, some expressing shock and others condolences were shared.

Attempts to reach the families were unsuccessful at the time of going to print.

However, a friend who knew him very well said he was a ‘jolly good person with a love for cars who just wanted to drive all the time, listening to music. He was free and humble and always willing to assist anyone who asked for help.’