An emotional prayer and memorial service was held on Wednesday 4 May at the scene of the horror head-on collision between a taxi and a truck. Fifteen lives were lost.
The service was initiated by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) of Western Gauteng. It was attended by families of the deceased who came from as far as Zimbabwe, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Kimberley as well as pastors from all over the West Rand. According to their culture, the soul-calling ceremony was performed. Pastor Samuel Majenge from the Methodist Church Mogale City led the service.
In this fatal accident, 15 of the 17 passengers lost their lives, including taxi driver Bheki Mkhize. At the time of his death, Mkhize was driving for the Randfontein Taxi Owners Association. (RTOA).
Santaco Western Gauteng consists of 17 associations and their members also joined in paying their last respects to the victims. Thomas Mampe, RTOA chairperson said this accident is devastating for the taxi industry and that their condolences go out to all friends and family members of the deceased.
Felix Stevens, Deputy Chairperson of Santaco Western Gauteng, said,
We can not stop accidents like these and we can not say it will not happen, but we can ask God to give us strength and protection. Our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.”
Graham Fritz, treasurer of Santaco Western Gauteng, said they would be carrying the cost of transporting the families to the funerals of their beloved.
Some victims will be buried in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Zimbabwe. After the memorial service, everyone went to the Swanieville Stadium for another memorial. The mass funeral will be held on Saturday, 7 May, also at the Swanieville Stadium in Krugersdorp.
Click here to view photos of the accident scene.
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