Times Of Swaziland: Speeding soldier kills  4 family members

Speeding soldier kills  4 family members
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 JABULISA DLAMINI on 13/10/2010 00:00:00


MKHONDVO—A dark cloud hovered over this small community yesterday when four
members of the same family died instantly after a vehicle driven by a soldier
knocked them down along the roadside.
As the news of the shocking freak incident spread across this rustic community,
grief stricken family members broke down and cried and one could hear the
wailing sounds from a long distance.
The accident happened just before 1pm at Manyeveni, Mkhondvo just past
Sidvokodvo.
Hlobisile Nhlengetfwa (27) was killed together with her daughter, Falethu
(five), the last-born in her family, and their relatives, Sihle Tsabedze (21)
and Mncedisi Dlamini (five). The two women were from registering their children
for the free primary education programme and were to start learning in Grade I
next year.
Kaphunga police responded quickly to the accident but could only rescue the
driver Masitsela Khumalo whose car registered SD 793 EF had later plunged into a
ditch.
It is said he had been travelling from Salem, Hlatikulu.
This publication could not get hold of Sihle Tsabedze and Mncedisi Dlamini’s
parents, as it was reported that they did not live at the Nhlengetfwa homestead.
Young Mncedisi’s mother is reportedly staying at Mhlaleni. She was informed of
the accident and said she was coming to the scene.
By the time the Times news team left the scene, his mother had still not
arrived.
Tears
Nkosinathi Nhlengetfwa, Hlobisile’s husband and Falethu’s father, could not
hold back his tears when he arrived at the scene. He said he was called by
relatives from work at eNkhundleni after the accident.
Nhlengetfwa was asked if he knew about Tsabedze and said she was his sister’s
child. He said she was a calm woman who had finished her high school education
two years ago.
"I cannot speak further about the accident because it is unbelievable and sad.
All I want to do is to go home and rest," he said, before leaving the scene,
which was full of people from the area, Net-Care employees and police officers.
...soldier arrested
MKHONDVO- The Police Assistant PRO, inspector Step-hen Dlamini, said the
accid-ent, which happened at Manyeveni in Mkhondvo was serious and vehicle
owners should be careful when driving on the local roads.
Dlamini said the soldier, Masitsela Khumalo was arrested yesterday for knocking
down four pedestrians and killing them on the spot.
Serious
"This is a very serious case. Drivers are always urged to be careful when
driving on the roads, a roadworthy vehicle is a must and drivers should make
sure they drive with sober habits to prevent such accidents from happening," he
said.
Masitsela Khumalo is in custody at the Kaphunga Police Station.
He will be appearing at the Nhlangano Magistrates Court today.
‘How i survived horror accident’
MKHONDVO - Nontobeko Maphalala was shaking as she told of how she survived the
horror accident.
She was in the company of all the victims as they were returning from primary
school registration for Mncedisi and Falethu, when the accident happened.
"We were on the side of the road, just about to cross the main road coming from
the Sidvokodvo direction, when we saw a white car speeding. It was all so scary
and it happened so fast. I jumped to avoid the speeding car and I saw it
knocking over all my relatives - the four of them flew sky high and were dropped
in different areas of the tarred road," Maphalala said.
She blamed speed for the accident.
"The accident was evidently caused by the high speed and the driver obviously
failed to control the vehicle. This is sad because on the way from the
registration, we were all happy and chatted about the fact that the children
would be going to school for the first time next year," Maphalala, who was
shocked and confused at the same time said.
...husband will make speed humps
MKHONDVO—In a bid to prevent more accidents in his area, a distraught husband
to one of the victims says he will dig and create speed humps.
Nkosinathi Nhlengetfwa said he felt the Ministry of Public Works and Transport
was not doing enough in terms of signage and speed humps to show that there are
school children and pedestrians crossing the road.
"Tonight I will be digging up this road along with my crew to show you how
serious the issue of speed humps is to the community. I am nothing without my
wife and child.
"My wife was very active and she ran a grocery shop while I was busy with my
duties at eNkhundleni. Why has this happened to my family, why me?"
Nhlengetfwa wanted to see the man who had caused the accident. He was later
informed by the police that they had taken him to the police station at
Kaphunga.
Soldier apologises to family
MKHONDVO- The driver of the Toyota Corolla that killed four people, including
two young children, on the spot, has apologised to the victims’ family.
Masitsela Khumalo, reportedly a soldier by profession, was in the company of two
other people in his car. He escaped with no injuries, along with his companions
after the accident.
According to a police officer, who refused to be named, Khumalo apologised to
the victims’ families and asked the police to show him the bodies. It is
reported that the police refused to show him the bodies before they were taken
to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital morgue.
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Comments
I pray if the Swaziland Gov can take this matter seriously, kubuhlungu
ngiyabalilela bekunene, the Almighty knows it all he will be with them.
Oct 13, 2010, 12:16 PM, QINISO MAZIYA (Qmazia@gmail.com)
This is really heart breaking bo Nkhosi.....these government cars are really
abused vele....BAYAGIJIMISA labashayeli and one wonders kutsi bajakeni,kuphi?
May the souls of the deceased rest in peace.....madvudvu kubasemdenini...find
strength and hold on to God....only He knows.
Oct 13, 2010, 2:37 PM, Nemzar (Nemzadearest1@gmail.com)