SMVAF’S REACTION TO ACCIDENT COMMENDABLE

Sir,
 
Kindly permit me to discuss the article that I saw in your newspaper on Friday July 9, 2021 regarding the horrific road accident that took place at Mahwalala about a week ago. Not only did the article catch my attention, it also provoked a series of thoughts. I want to appreciate the good gesture shown by the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF) towards the injured and families of the deceased. What I picked from the article is that even though this is a difficult situation faced by the company, they seem to be handling it well. Of utmost importance is the kind gesture, buntfu, that they have shown to the affected persons. This is to be encouraged. There is nothing as bad as a company that cares less about people affected, deliberately or not, by its operations, machinery and/or employees. In this case, the SMVAF vehicle is said to have accidentally ran over six protesters who had placed rocks, logs and were burning tryes in the middle of the road.

Stopped

We are told that the protesters first stopped the car, dragged the driver out and beat him to a pulp. A good Samaritan reportedly saved the driver, whom he pulled to the passenger’s seat while he took over the driver’s seat. As they were speeding off to the police station, they came across another group of protestors and knocked down six people. It is sad that two of the six have since passed away. Having read the newspaper version of the events as they unfolded and hoping that it is true, one appreciates the fact that such an accident could have befallen anyone. It would seem that the SMVAF vehicle was at the wrong place at the wrong time as this was the day when the protests against government had just started. It is not easy to outrightly tell who was wrong, but it would seem the SMVAF employee had no choice as he was under severe attack from angry and inadvertently irrational protesters. Yes that did not give the driver of the car any right to run over the protesters, but again what choice did he have under the circumstances? I have confidence that the police investigation will uncover the truth of the matter.

I am somehow consoled that at least the organisation has not folded its arms and waited for conclusion of the police investigation before assisting the injured, who we are told they even took to their private Ekuphileni Clinic. That is a good thing that the SMAVF has done. I have also read that the families of the deceased are appreciative of the company’s moral and financial support. I really trust that SMVAF will fund the burials as promised to the affected families. Their humane attitude shown following the accident shows that the company is remorseful and credit should go to their leadership. Under normal circumstances I would be castigating the SMVAF for the loss of lives and inflicted injuries, but I am restrained by the compassion they have displayed for all to see and appreciate.

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