A devastating road accident on Saturday along the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal has left a family reeling after five of its members lost their lives.

A truck carrying sugar collided with a light motor vehicle, pushing it off the road and ultimately crushing it when the truck overturned, marking a tragic end to what should have been a joyful journey

The victims, four siblings and their cousin, were from Ndwedwe to Nquthu to attend an Umemulo ceremony— a traditional Zulu coming-of-age celebration for a relative.

They have been identified as Khululiwe Goodness Maphumulo, 30, Sithabiso Artwell Mthiya, 35, Lowren Mthiya, 41, Ephraim Siphiwe Ntuli, 44, and Phakamani Joseph Mthiya, 44.

KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed deep sorrow over the loss and assured the grieving family that the department would support them through this difficult time, coordinating the funeral arrangements for the upcoming weekend.

“The outpouring of messages of condolences from the people of KwaZulu-Natal will surely strengthen the family during this difficult period,” he said, adding that funeral arrangements are being coordinated for the upcoming weekend.

In response to the tragedy, collaborative efforts are underway with local leaders, including mayors Samuel Mfeka from the Ndwedwe Local Municipality, Thobani Shandu of the Ilembe District Municipality, and Thabani Mdlalose from the Mandeni Local Municipality, where the accident occurred.

In a grim turn of events, the truck driver, initially reported missing in the aftermath of the crash, was later found deceased at the scene, entangled in the wreckage.

Emergency services used the jaws of life to extricate his body from the sugar-laden vehicle. With this additional loss, the total death toll has risen to six.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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