The family of one of the 12 victims who died in a tragic road accident in Limpopo on the R81 near Ga-Sekgopo on Sunday afternoon, coming from a church conference, says they will remember their 62-year-old mother as a woman deeply devoted to prayer.

The fatal crash, which occurred in the Capricorn District on Sunday, September 28, involved two trucks and a Toyota Quantum minibus. 

The deceased were congregants returning from a church service in Sebayeng village.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

On Monday, September 29, the affected families met with Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba at Pietersburg Hospital’s recreation hall for the identification of the deceased. 

Speaking to IOL News, Tiyani Caspie Mawila confirmed that his mother, Modjadji Rose Mawila, 62, from Giyani village, was among those killed in the crash.

“Yes, I can confirm that my mother was one of the people who were involved in the accident. When we heard the news, we were so shocked and devastated to hear that our mother had passed,” he said.

“It was shocking and painful, especially as we are still grieving our father, who was kidnapped and killed last year in 2024. We felt so overwhelmed, it was deeply daunting. It was not an easy message to comprehend, that our mother we spoke to just hours earlier had passed on.”

Tiyani said he had spoken to his mother on the morning of the accident.

“We spoke on Sunday morning, like we usually did before going to church. She told us that everything was going well at the church conference,” he said.

Modjadji Mawila, a former primary school teacher, is survived by her four children – two sons and two daughters.

She was described by her son as a devout Christian who relied heavily on faith.

“My mother was someone who loved God. Whenever we had a problem, she would always point us to prayer and to God. She used to say, ‘God is greater than everything.’ Her vocabulary was full of scriptures and the wonders of God,” he said.

The family said the process of identifying the bodies was especially difficult due to the severe injuries sustained by the victims.

“When we were identifying the bodies, we could see that they were badly hurt during the accident. It was hard to identify our loved one because of the condition of the bodies,” Tiyani added.

“They were severely injured, bones were broken… It was very traumatic and overwhelming. We still don’t know exactly what happened.”

Another family member, Solly Maluleke, confirmed that his brother, Zamani Collen Maluleke, 33, who was driving the minibus taxi, was also killed in the crash.

“He was working as a driver and had often used that road for church conferences. It was so painful to identify them in the state they were in, but we have started to accept what happened. We hope the investigation will reveal the truth.”

Solly described his brother as a loving person who had a one-year-old daughter.

“He was a great person and a good listener. If you told him to do something, he’d do it exactly as you asked. We will remember him through his daughter.”

The deceased were all members of the Titanic International Church and were travelling home from a church service when the crash occurred.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, and her deputy, Mkhuleko Hlengwa have expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

“SAPS has confirmed that one male driver, 10 female passengers and one child, aged between seven and 10 years, perished in this crash,” said Creecy.

Creecy and Hlengwa reiterated their call for motorists to remain vigilant and responsible on the roads.

Meanwhile, SANTACO Limpopo chairperson Sipho Phillemon Maloma said the organisation is reviewing safety measures in the wake of the tragedy.

“SANTACO Limpopo extends its condolences and commits ongoing support to the families. We are cooperating with authorities and will review safety protocols to prevent future tragedies. Our hearts are with the families and communities during this time of mourning,” he said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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