Among the victims is an entire family, leaving a mother to grapple with the loss of her daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren.
Uzengane Sigubudu, from Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, spoke to Sowetan about her devastating loss. She lost her 45-year-old daughter, Lindeni, her daughter’s partner Sihle Magoda, and their four children: Sfanelesbonge, Fanelesbonge, Bongiswa, and Vuyiswa. Only her one-year-old great-grandchild, Luyanda, survived the accident.
"I'm shattered," Sigubudu said, with her voice choked with grief.
"This is unbelievable. I don't even have the strength to go to the accident scene. My daughter will head to the hospital to visit Luyanda."
The family was returning to their home in Gauteng after spending the festive season in Qumbu, Eastern Cape. Sigubudu explained that she had been unable to contact her daughter throughout the December holidays.
"The last time I spoke to her was when she was telling me that she would be leaving for the Eastern Cape as they would usually go during holidays," she recalled.
She last saw Lindeni in September during a visit from Gauteng. Their final conversation took place just before the family's departure for the Eastern Cape, a trip they undertook annually.
"Whenever she is in the Eastern Cape she struggles with cellphone network," Sigubudu explained, highlighting the communication difficulties that tragically delayed the news of the accident.
Sigubudu only learned of the accident when government officials contacted her on Wednesday afternoon.
"They told me that people have died and that my children were also involved. They also came to my house to give me more details," she said.
The accident involved a minibus taxi and a truck. According to KwaZulu-Natal authorities, the taxi, affiliated with the Uncedo Taxi Association, lost control, veered into oncoming traffic, and collided head-on with the truck. The taxi was carrying eighteen people, including the driver. The accident resulted in the deaths of seven adult males, three adult females, three boys, and four girls. Luyanda, a young girl, was the sole survivor.
KZN MEC for transport and human settlements Siboniso Duma expressed his concern, stating, “We remain concerned about the fact that the driver of the trucking company contacted the owner of Pangolin Logistics before disappearing. We are asking ourselves too many questions. Who assisted him in disappearing from such a remote area and at night?” This disappearance is a key focus of the ongoing investigation.
The investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, with several possibilities being explored, including heavy rainfall, excessive speed, vehicle defects, and driver negligence. The accident occurred around 8:32 pm on the N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass, during heavy rain and mist. MEC Duma visited Luyanda in hospital, expressing relief at her survival and thanking healthcare workers for their swift response. He also offered condolences to the bereaved families.
