FIVE family members who died in a horrific accident will be laid to rest on Sunday, 24 August.
The family members were travelling from Ndwendwe to Nquthu to attend an umemulo (a traditional Zulu coming-of-age ceremony) of a relative when their car was crushed and destroyed by a truck carrying sugar.
The five family members were Khululiwe Maphumulo (35), Sithabiso Mthiya (35), Lowren Mthiya (41), Siphiwe Ntuli (44) and Phakamani Mthiya (44).
The crash happened between Amatigulu and Dokodweni on the N2, northern of KZN on Saturday, 16 August.
After the accident, KZN Transport and Human Settlement MEC Siboniso Duma assigned a team from the department to provide transport to the family. The family members identified their loved ones in a mortuary in Eshowe on 18 August.
"As the department, we offer to be with the family and support them until the funeral this weekend. The five victims were travelling from home in Ndwendwe to Nquthu to attend umemulo, a traditional Zulu coming-of-age ceremony for a relative. Their car was crushed and destroyed by the truck carrying sugar," said the MEC.
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He said they have also interacted with the employer of the young and responsible man who was driving the car with his four siblings.
"Importantly, in planning the funeral of the victims, we will work together with the family and the mayors where the accident happened and where the family lives," he said.
The MEC said the loss of five members of one family in one horrific accident left a gaping hole in their hearts.
"Since last Sunday, 19 August, a day after the horrific accident, we've been interacting with the family and spending time with them. Our focus was to ease the burden on their shoulders. We were with them when they went to identify their loved ones at the mortuary. Importantly, we've been interacting with the employer of Artwell Mthiya, who was the driver. He relayed our condolences to all categories of staff. We worked together to coordinate the funeral," he said.
He said this Sunday, 24 August, they'll join the family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and community members as they give the departed souls a dignified funeral.
"Equally, our hearts are with the family of the truck driver who died in this tragic accident. The family is located in Mpumalanga province. May the departed souls rest in peace," added the MEC.
