IMBALI KILLED IN TRUCK ACCIDENT

MANZINI - Over 50 parents from different parts of the country last night flocked the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital to identify bodies of their children, members of the Imbali regiment, who were involved in a horrific accident near the traffic circle, in Matsapha.

The tragic accident, which happened along the MR3 Highway, Mahhala, involved two trucks, which were ferrying maidens and a sedan. This was around 5:20pm.
 The maidens were said to be returning from Phonjwane and Singweni destined for Ludzidzini Royal Residence for the ongoing national Umhlanga Reed Dance cultural activity.
According to witnesses, traffic police officers pulled-over a Toyota van along the highway and that was when the first truck failed to avoid hitting the car as it smashed into the Toyota’s rear. This caused the pile up as the second truck crashed onto the truck which also had the excited maidens on board.

 One of the maidens who survived the accident, in an interview with the Swazi News, confirmed the account of some of the witnesses.
“We were about 50 on board the first truck that smashed into the Toyota van and was crashed from the rear by the other truck which was driving behind ours,” Siphelele Sigudla (18) said.

One of the hospital authorities, who refused to be named, confirmed that seven people, six maidens and one Indvuna, were confirmed dead at the Emergency Room (ER) by medical doctors before being taken to the mortuary.
Police Deputy Officer Information and Communications Inspector Phindile Vilakati could only confirm the accident which occurred near the traffic circle, Matsapha.

“I cannot confirm more details on the matter as it still has to be formally reported to higher authorities. The accident involving maidens did occur and the police are still busy with investigations, contact the RSP communications desk tomorrow for more information,” Inspector Vilakati said. Fire and Emergency Services Mbabane Branch divisional officer, Auto Dlamini who was found at the scene could confirm that nine maidens had passed on.

This was at the time he was interviewed at about 6:40pm. Dlamini said he was, however, not in position to say whether this was the final death toll as he could attend to those they had attended to. 
“Information we have gathered so far is that one truck rammed into the other and both were destined towards Ludzidzini Royal Residence,” said Dlamini.

Meanwhile, the said parents flocked the hospital’s Emergency Room (ER) in a bid to identify their children, however, they were not able to as they were ordered to wait outside the ER, which was full of injured maidens and those who had been already certified dead by medical doctors. When Swazi News reporters arrived at the hospital, the staff, medical doctors, the hospital’s administration, members of the Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) were running up and down the corridors, trying to assist injured maidens from ambulances and police vehicles to the ER.

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