BOPHELONG – A multi-vehicle collision that occurred outside a popular tavern in Bophelong over the weekend has left the Chobeka family devastated.
This comes after their beloved family member, Pakiso (33) lost his life when a speeding Cherry Tiggo vehicle plunged into a Tazz while he slept in the car before bumping into more vehicles and later capsizing.
The vehicle Pakiso was in, bumped into a Ford Focus, squeezing him to death.
According to the family spokesperson, the Chobeka’s were called to the scene in the wee hours by a neighbour who broke the heart-wrenching news of the gruesome incident.
Arriving at the messy scene with the Cherry lying on the side, Tazz squashed, and the Ford and Volkswagen Polo squashed on the side, the image that remains in their minds is the body of the father of two put on the ground and covered in a foil.
Detailing the vivid image of the accident, Eyewitness and the Polo driver, Nkosana Mofokeng said he flicked his lights when he saw the Cherry speeding off Mandela Road.
“I could tell that something wrong would happen when I saw the Cherry speeding towards the two vehicles [Tazz and Ford Focus] while they stopped on the road. The only thing I recall was the big bang sound coming from the impact before the Cherry hit my car,” he said.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster at their family home in Extension 2, Pakiso’s girlfriend, Charlotte Mjanqeka (25) shared the void her lover left.
“We are still in disbelief at what happened. We last saw Pakiso when he left the house on Friday to a nearby tavern. Being called to the scene and seeing his lifeless body on the cold floor, tore me apart,” she said.
Sister to Pakiso, Nthabiseng Chobeka (21) said the family is battling to come to terms with the incident.
“Our family, especially my mother is battling. This feels like a dream for us. We look towards the door with the hope that Pakiso would enter anytime and we get told that it was all a sick joke,” she said.
The Chobeka family said they hope for justice as the incident is of a man’s doing.
Vanderbijlpark police spokesperson, Sergeant Sabelo Sigcu confirmed the incident.
“A case of Drunken Driving and Culpable Homicide has been opened. The Driver of the Cherry Chiggo who was suspected to be under the influence was taken for blood samples and later detained,” he said.
