UPDATE: One of Tom Jones twins dies in night

One of the twin babies born on the stranded bus in Tom Jones Street, on Tuesday, died last night, in the Tambo Memorial Hospital, in Boksburg.

Mercy Ndhlovu takes a short rest while the passengers unload their belongings from the broken-down bus on Tom Jones Street. Ndhlovu gave birth to twin boys on May 31. One of the babies died during the night of June 2.

According to Febbie Harawa, a passenger and the mother’s sister, the boy died on the fourth night of the stranded Malawians’ stay in Benoni.

“She is heartbroken about it,” said Harawa.

Mercy Ndhlovu gave birth to the twins prematurely, on May 31, on the bus.

Paramedics jokingly suggested she name them Tom and Jones, which she did.

Jones died and Tom is doing well.

Ndhlovu and the other 22 passengers were travelling to Malawi, but the bus repeatedly broke down during the trip, which started in Randburg.

The community came out in numbers to support the passengers during their ordeal.

People brought food, baby products and helped to organise new transport for the group.

“We say thank you to the people of Benoni and the South African government,” said Brave Ndhlovu, one of the passengers.

A new bus and trailer, sent free of charge by a company, arrived at the site of the stranded bus just after midnight on June 3.

The Malawians slept at the Salvation Army last night and were expected to depart by 10am today (June 3).

With the new bus, they hope to reach Malawi by June 6.