Staff Reporter
Six members of the same family — including a six-year-old boy — have died after their Opel Corsa collided with a truck on the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal.
A child who initially survived died in hospital, according to KZN Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma.
Duma said this weekend that he had ordered an investigation into the crash, which occurred in the Umtubatuba Local Municipality on Friday.
He said his department would send a team to support the bereaved family and discuss funeral arrangements and other forms of assistance.
According to Duma, the following family members died:
Mama Nokuphakama Mnyango (MaMdletshe) (85);
Mama Makhosi kaMnyango Mthembu (52);
Mvuyani Gcaleka (43)
Senamile Buthelezi (29)
Banzi Buthelezi (6)
Ayanda Pearl Mthembu (age not supplied).
“Admittedly, we do not believe that there are appropriate words we can use to stop the pain each surviving family member is experiencing,” Duma said.
South Africa has long battled high levels of road deaths, with fatal crashes typically spiking during peak travel periods.
The latest tragedy comes in a month marked by other major crashes, including a 19 January collision between a school minibus and a truck in Gauteng that killed 14 schoolchildren.
The driver of that scholar transport vehicle has been charged with murder and attempted murder, among other charges.
On 29 January, at least 11 people were killed in another serious crash near Durban when a minibus taxi collided with a truck in the Isipingo area.
Both accidents have prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement and investigations into vehicle roadworthiness and driver compliance.
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