Watch: Municipal bus knocks over two women

The two women who were killed outside the Boksburg Civic Centre Clinic this morning (April 6) have been hailed as friendly people by their respective families.

Annatjie van Niekerk (61) and Livhuaani Mahashe (44) were killed after a municipal bus lost control and ran over them at around 8.05am.

According to the metro spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, Mahashe was a security guard at the clinic and van Niekerk a member of the public who had come for a check-up.

“They were declared dead by paramedics on the scene and the driver was taken to the Sunward Park Hospital for treatment,” Dlamini said.

MMC for community services Nomadlozi Nkosi, who also arrived on the scene, said her heart goes out to the families of the deceased during this trying time.

“This is something you never wish on anyone and our sympathies go out to the families of the deceased. These victims left their homes with the hope of returning to their loved ones, and then tragedy stuck” she said.

According to an eyewitness from Angelo informal settlement, who asked to remain anonymous, she arrived at the clinic just after 7am and queued outside the gate.

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“A security guard was on hand to sanitise people’s hands. Suddenly, we saw a speeding bus coming straight towards us. Everyone ran in different directions. After a few moments, I saw the two bodies of the women on the ground. Everyone was screaming and crying. I am still traumatised. I fell when I was running,” she said.

The Advertiser spoke to the 61-year-old’s distraught daughter, Marrietjie van Niekerk.

“I was at work when I got a call from my sister who was with my mother at the time of the incident, telling me that my mother is no more. We never expected something like this to happen as she has been treated at the clinic for epilepsy for the past 18 years. My mom was the softest and kindest person I knew,” said van Niekerk.

Marrietjie spent her birthday with her mother on April 5, when she turned 33.

“Sadly, she is no more and the thought that I won’t celebrate my birthday with her next year breaks my heart,” she said.

Pastor Freddie Victor, of New Life Church, described Annatjie as a friendly and helpful person who never complained when she was asked to do something.

“She always helped out with our church’s feeding scheme where we feed about 180 people per day,” Victor said.

Mahashe’s brother, Ntambu Mahashe, said the family had hoped that they would be addressed by the MMC of transport on the scene, but that never happened.

“The authorities and Nkosi promised us that they will notify them. We want the municipality to take full responsibility for my sister’s death because if their buses were maintained my sister would have still been alive. We also want them to cover our sister’s burial costs,” said Mahashe.

The security guard’s brother described his sister as a quiet person who never fought with anyone.

“She was a good mother to her 21-year-old child, who has recently finished her BCom Accounting degree at the University of Johannesburg,” he said.

The authorities have launched an investigation into the fatal accident.

The City will also be offering to counsel the staff of the clinic and other members of the public who witnessed the incident.

Facebook comments:
Ronwyn Geere: Witnesses to this tragedy should be getting free counselling. Shocking. Where is the mayor? Unroadworthy buses should be removed from service.

Denise Terblanche: Condolences to the family, RIP to those that lost their lives.

Sulette Behnke: How horrible. May the two ladies rest in peace.

Poppy Mabaso: That was very sad to watch while we were in a queue.

Lee Lahner: Tragic. RIP and condolences to the families.

Leigh M L Brider: Condolences to the families of the poor innocent souls who have tragically lost their lives.

Nelisiwe Ntuli: I was there, the lady had just sanitised me a second before she died, I’m so traumatised.

Mandy Swart Johnson: Shocking! Innocent lives lost again and again!

Chivani Ramdaw: So sad.

Also Read: WATCH: Two killed at Civic Centre as bus brakes fail

Also Read: Boksburg family of four killed in accident near Richards Bay