TWO Empangeni families are in mourning after losing their mothers, sisters and wives following a tragic crash on the R34 near Vryheid.
Disaster struck on Saturday at around 11am when Reinette Britz (38) and Ria Gourley (52) died when their car collided head-on with a tanker truck as they were travelling home from a funeral.
Speculation as to the cause of the crash is rife and police will be conducting a full investigation.
Best friends for nearly 20 years, Ria and Reinette were declared dead on scene by KwaZulu Private Ambulance Services.
The small Hyundai hatchback they were driving was reduced to nothing more than a mangled lump from the force of the impact.
Tributes poured in for the well-known pair as the news broke, leaving absolute shock in the wake of their deaths.
Police confirmed on Tuesday that a case of culpable homicide was being investigated.
Reinette, who worked for the City of uMhlathuze Fire Department is survived by her husband Louis and their sons, who are 16 and 14 years old.
‘On behalf of the entire family, we wish to thank everyone for their support and love during this difficult time. Reinette leaves behind a space that will never be filled,’ said Louis.
Ria, who worked for ABSA Bank in Empangeni for many years before she was medically boarded, is survived by her husband of 32 years, Hilmar.
‘I can only thank everyone for their compassion and help. It has been hard for us,’ he said, referring to their two small dogs who were like children to them and Lisbeth, their domestic worker of more than 20 years.
‘To Ria I say thank you for all the magical years we had, we are all going to miss you terribly.’
‘The frequency with which death has visited us in the past few weeks is shocking,’ said City Mayor, Mdu Mhlongo.
‘We haven’t even forgotten that last weekend we were laying to rest one of our employees and to our shock, we now have to face the passing of our beloved and hardworking Reinette and her good friend Ria.
‘We send our condolences as the city to their families, friends and immediate colleagues and the entire City of Umhlathuze family.’
A joint funeral was held for Ria and Reinette at the Empangeni AGS church in Louis Botha Avenue on this morning.
