A Saturday afternoon trip to visit friends turned into a nightmare when a 17-year-old girl from Boksburg died and her two friends injured while trying to escape a possible kidnapping along Main Reef Road.
Tamara Zimkitha Jonas was killed after she and her two friends jumped out of a moving kombi to escape an apparent abduction. Her two friends sustained serious injuries. The taxi was believed to be operating between Boksburg and Germiston.
According to the parents of Tamara, their daughter and her two friends got into a taxi along Main Reef Road near Angelo informal settlement and they were on their way to Makause informal settlement in Primrose to visit friends.
In the taxi were the driver and two men they thought were also passengers.
When the taxi reached their destination in Makause, the girls reportedly asked the driver to stop so that they could alight, but the driver didn’t stop and carried on driving. The two other men in the taxi allegedly tried to prevent the girls from opening the door.
But fearing for her life, the deceased pulled opened the door before jumping out of the speeding vehicle. Her friends also jumped out a few metres away from where Tamara jumped.
Tamara sustained head injuries and was certified dead on the scene. Her two friends suffered serious injuries and were both taken to Germiston Hospital by ambulance.
The taxi reportedly failed to stop and drove away.
No arrests have been made so far.
Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Kay Makhubela confirmed the incident, saying investigations into the incident had been launched and anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 08600 10111.
Terrifying ordeal
The deceased’s aunt, Masinhle Sajini, described the tragedy which befell Tamara and her friends as a terrifying ordeal.
“We couldn’t believe it when the sad news was delivered to us, we thought that it was just a joke. We only believed after one of the girls who were with her confirmed to us that she is gone and was taken by the forensics’ van from the scene.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose our daughter like this,” said a sobbing Sajini.
Sajini described Tamara as an intelligent child who was more direct and firm, but always respectful.
“She promised her mother that she was going to ace her matric exams and go to study further at the University of Fort Hare (UFH); but now all our hopes and her dreams have been shattered.”
Devastating blow
Oos Rand Secondary school management said the news about Tamara’s death has come as a shock to the school.
“The news of losing one of our learners came as a devastating blow.
“She has been part of our school since Grade Eight and was a hard worker who managed to get to Grade 12, as you know that in our community reaching this grade is a great achievement.
“On behalf of the school, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Tamara’s family. We are saddened by the news of the untimely passing away of one of our future leaders,” said Peter Arendse, Oosrand Secondary School deputy principal.
