FOLLOWING POPULAR FAN MNOTFO’S TRAGIC DEATH: DRIVER FACES HIT-AND-RUN CHARGE

MANZINI – In a tragic turn of events that shocked the community and football fraternity alike, popular Manzini Wanderers fan Mnotfo Manana was allegedly struck by a car that never stopped.

Mnotfo, the zealous supporter of Wanderers, was knocked down to death on his way to Manzini from Ngculwini, at around 9pm to 10pm on Monday night. The details of Mnotfo’s death were revealed during a court appearance of Njabulo Robin Sengo, the man accused of knocking down the deceased with a Mazda sedan, allegedly abandoning him, leading to his untimely death. During his appearance before Manzini Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi, the 28-year-old Sengo of Matsapha was slapped with five counts.

He was charged with culpable homicide alongside four additional counts of contravening the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007. It is said Sengo purportedly left the deceased popular Wanderers fan after he knocked him down, having not ascertained the extent and nature of the accident, and left without providing him with any assistance. Further, the accused reportedly did not report the accident within the lawful stipulated time, which is 24 hours.

In the first count, Sengo, being the driver of a Mazda Demio registered XSD 418 AS, allegedly negligently knocked down a pedestrian, Mnotfo Manana aged 37 of Mdumezulu, who was severely injured and certified dead upon arrival at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital. He was said to have been driving along the Mkhuzweni/Hhelehhele MR8 public road at about 9:15pm at or near Jubela in the Manzini Region. Sengo allegedly drove at a high speed on a 60km/h zone. Further, he is said to have failed to drive with due care and attention. He reportedly failed to also anticipate a pedestrian who might cross the road, as well as failed to apply brakes on time. In addition, the charge sheet stipulates that he allegedly failed to avoid an accident that a reasonable driver should have avoided.

In count two, Sengo purportedly drove his vehicle in contravention of Section 88 (1) (a) and Section 122 (1) and 122 (5) (a) of the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007, which stipulates the legal obligation to stop in the aftermath of an accident. Meanwhile, in count three, Sengo was accused of further violating the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007. Having allegedly failed to stop after the collision, he purportedly neglected to investigate the nature and extent of Mnotfo’s injuries. This is said to be in violation of Section 88 (1) (b) as read with Section 122 (1) and 122 (5) (a) of the Road Traffic Act.

In count three, the accused reportedly drove the vehicle and failed to ascertain the nature and extent of the injury sustained by the deceased, and thus contravened Section 88 (1) (b) as read with Section 122 (1) and 122 (5) (a) of the Road Traffic Act.

Count four highlights that he contravened Section 88 (1) (c) as read with Section 122 (1) and 122 (a) of the same Act, in that he allegedly wrongfully drove the said vehicle along the said road and failed to render assistance to the injured person.

In count five, he allegedly drove the vehicle along the said road and failed to report the accident within 24 hours to the police. For the alleged offence, he is said to have contravened Section 88 (1) (f) as read with Section 122 (5) (b) of the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007. Meanwhile, the court granted Sengo bail fixed at E5 000. He is expected to return to court on September 12 for trial.

Remembered

Here are some of the ways that Manana will be remembered:

Loyalty: His dedicated support for Mbabane Wanderers, even during difficult times, serves as a reminder of the power of his loyalty.
Good-hearted humour: Manana joked and light-hearted spirit brought joy and laughter to those around him, making him a beloved figure in the Wanderers community.
Fanaticism: His fanatical devotion to Mbabane Wanderers, even declaring that he would remain a Weslian supporter until death, illustrated the extent of his passion for the team.
Endurance: Manana long-standing support for the Wanderers, despite the team’s many struggles, displays his resilience and ability to endure hardship.
Unforgettable character: The ‘Weslian’ fan’s combination of loyalty, humour, and passion made him an unforgettable character in the Wanderers community, and his memory will live on through the stories shared by those who knew him.

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