3RD SHISELWENI KOMBI CRASH: 2 DEAD, 7 ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL

MHLOSHENI – Two people died and seven others were rushed to hospital when a kombi they were onboard was involved in an accident at Mhlosheni.

The kombi, servicing the Nhlangano-Hluthi route, was coming from Nhlangano town, heading towards Hluthi. It had eight passengers and the driver. The accident happened on a steep slope, at the last corner towards Mhlosheni’s main station. It was gathered that the driver lost control of the motor vehicle after its brakes became faulty, which resulted in it veering off the road and crashing against a rock next to the road.  Motorists who were first on the scene called the police as they rushed to assist the passangers. It was gathered that rescuers had a tough time retrieving the passengers, who were trapped in the vehicle, as it had landed upside down. After the people were taken out of the vehicle, police searched the surrounding area for passengers who may have been thrown out of the vehicle when it overturned.

Injured

The driver was reportedly among those who were injured. This is the third accident to happen in a space of two weeks, involving public transport vehicles from Nhlangano town to different routes. About two weeks ago, a Quantum, which had 16 passengers was involved in an accident at Mehlabovu. The kombi serviced the Nhlangano-Manzini route.   Sixteen people were rushed to hospital and most of them had fractures and open wounds.

Last Friday, a kombi servicing the Nhlangano-Mshololo route was involved in an accident at KaMjuda, with 16 passengers on board. The driver of the kombi was among those who were seriously injured as the kombi hit a tree stump, as well as a hill from the front. All 16 people were admitted to hospital. The accidents happened at a time when government vehicle examiners were around Nhlangano, inspecting public transport vehicles. 
In an interview, Shiselweni Local Kombi Association Chairman, Thabani Nhleko, stated that they were shocked by the accidents. Nhleko said they were even thinking of hosting a prayer, as it seemed there was a dark cloud engulfing the transport business in the town.

Address

“As of tomorrow (today), we will engage the drivers and owners in a meeting to be held after they knock off, where police will be present, to address the issues of the accidents, among other things,” said Nhleko. He added that they felt the drivers needed to be lectured on what they were supposed to do in the event they experienced similar accidents in future.  Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed the Mhlosheni accident. She stated that one person died and eight were rushed to hospital. However, it was later gathered that another person had died.

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