NHLANGANO – A Simelane family has been plunged into grief after three relatives died in a horrific head-on collision near Single Tree on Monday morning.
The tragic crash, which involved a Volkswagen Polo and a Toyota Corolla Cross, resulted in six fatalities in total, leaving multiple families and corporate colleagues devastated.
The three members of the Simelane family were travelling in the Volkswagen Polo when the collision occurred. The victims were identified as Lucky Simelane, a teacher at Somnjalose High School; Ngcebo Asande Simelane, a 19-year-old student at a local tertiary institution; and 52-year-old Mduduzi Simelane, an agricultural employee.
Lucky and Ngcebo were brothers who shared the same father, but had different mothers, while Mduduzi was a maternal uncle to both of them.
Speaking to this publication, family Spokesperson Moses Dlamini, who identified himself as their grandfather, recounted the heartbreaking moment the news reached their home.
He said he was not at home when police arrived on Monday afternoon to report the accident, but was informed immediately by family members.
Dlamini said the family was in tremendous pain following the tragedy, as three relatives had died while travelling to pursue their respective careers and studies.
He explained that Lucky was on his way to teach at Somnjalose High School, Mduduzi was travelling to his agricultural workplace and Ngcebo was travelling to his place of study. Dlamini added that the family had no further details at the time and was scheduled to gather in the evening to process the tragedy together. The collision occurred at approximately 8am along the main road connecting Nhlangano and Hlatikhulu, near Single Tree.
The Volkswagen Polo was travelling towards Hlatikhulu when the driver reportedly attempted an overtaking manoeuvre, lost control and swerved into the path of an oncoming Toyota Corolla Cross travelling towards Nhlangano.
The two vehicles collided head-on, causing the Volkswagen Polo to roll over.
The impact trapped the driver and one passenger inside the vehicle, while 19-year-old Ngcebo was thrown clear and found lying on the ground outside the vehicle.
All three male occupants of the Polo died from their injuries.
Meanwhile, the force of the impact caused the doors of the Toyota Corolla Cross to lock, trapping its four occupants inside as the vehicle caught fire.
The vehicle was carrying four employees of the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC) who were commuting to work.
Eyewitnesses who arrived moments after the collision rushed to render assistance, with the help of other passers-by, in an attempt to douse the spreading flames.
However, the fire on the driver’s side was already too severe, leaving the driver beyond saving.
Focusing their efforts on the passenger side, members of the public managed to break a rear window and pull a 27-year-old survivor from Ezulwini to safety.
An off-duty nurse who stopped at the scene rendered first aid using gloves and a medical kit while awaiting emergency responders.
The sole survivor was rushed to Nhlangano Health Centre before being transferred to Hlatikhulu Government Hospital, where he remains admitted in a critical condition.
Three occupants of the Toyota Corolla Cross died in the inferno.
Among them was 31-year-old Sakhile Dlamini of Ludzeludze, an ESRIC employee who was a former Eswatini Under-20 national football star, as well as a former Mbabane Swallows development and All Nations player.
Also killed were 45-year-old Nothando Mthande of Madonsa, who served as the ESRIC Nhlangano Branch manager, and a 36-year-old male employee whose identity was not known to this publication.
A relative of the late Sakhile Dlamini, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared the emotional toll the tragedy had taken on their household.
The relative said the family could not provide details regarding Sakhile’s mother because of her fragile condition after hearing the news of her son’s death.
The relative said without family support, she would have been admitted to hospital. Sakhile was described as a breadwinner who had mentioned suffering from stomach pains before the accident.
The relative confirmed that colleagues from his workplace had visited the family on Monday to offer their condolences.
Meanwhile, when contact was made with the family of Mthande, a family member said they were still awaiting senior family elders who were authorised to speak on behalf of the family.
ESRIC has also been plunged into mourning following the road accident, which claimed the lives of three of its employees and left a fourth injured. The victims were all stationed at the corporation’s Nhlangano Branch.
According to a press release posted on the company’s official Facebook page, the surviving staff member is receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the crash.
In the statement, ESRIC expressed its deepest sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the deceased, describing the incident as a devastating event that had left a profound void within the organisation.
“Our colleagues were valued members of the ESRIC family whose service, dedication and contributions touched many lives,” the corporation said.
Management added that it was engaging with and supporting the affected families and staff members during the period of mourning.
In response to the tragedy, ESRIC announced the immediate closure of its Nhlangano Branch until further notice.
Customers and key stakeholders were advised that information regarding alternative service arrangements would be communicated through the corporation’s official communication channels.
BY GCINILE PHUNGWAYO AND SIBUSISO SHANGE
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