The names of the eight people killed in last Friday’s horror accident on the N2 near Mandeni have been released.
Three schoolboys were among the dead after a Toyota Avanza collided head-on with a truck.
Initial reports from the scene incorrectly stated that seven of the dead were school pupils.
Bergville truck driver Bongani Ndaba suffered critical injuries and is recovering in ICU.
The victims were: Banele Sishi (18), reportedly the driver of the car and a Grade 10 pupil at Mathubesizwe High School, Sikhuthele High School pupil Velangenkosi Ncwane (19), Grade 11 pupil Siphile Dladla (17), taxi driver Sphelele Ngcongo (27), a farmer, Simphiwe Ngcongo (25), Sifundo Zikhali (18), Nkanyiso Zikhali (25), and Mpumelelo Innocent Dladla (23).
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Siboniso Duma, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, particularly Mandeni’s Mama Ncwane who lost three children in the accident, this after the loss of her husband and sister in recent months.
Duma thanked the religious community for supporting the grieving families during this difficult time. He emphasised the importance of allowing the families space to grieve and said memorial services are being arranged in consultation with the families.
The MEC said he had asked for a report on the state of readiness of the implementing the demerit point system. Although the system is scheduled to be introduced in September next year, Duma stressed the need for KwaZulu-Natal to expedite its rollout across the province. The purpose of the demerit system is to improve road safety, discouraging repeat offences and promote better driving behaviour. Motorists accumulating too many points will face fines, license suspensions or mandatory driving courses.
“The life of the next person is in your hands. Through speed, reckless driving, and disregarding the rules of the road, there is another family that will lose a breadwinner, a son, a daughter, a mother, a father or a loved one,” said Duma.
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