TEARS FLOW AT KOMBI ACCIDENT PRAYER SERVICE

Residents assist Makhosi Dlamini, the sister of the late kombi driver, after she collapsed and had to be taken by paramedics to an ambulance. (pics: Sabelo Mazibuko)

MANKAYANE – A sister of the kombi driver swept by floods at Lushikishini had to be taken off with a stretcher after she collapsed at the memorial service.

The sister, Makhosi Dlamini, broke down in tears during the mass memorial service held at the scene just a stone throw from where the incident happened on Monday evening.

Shortly after the master of ceremones Musa Dlamini, who is the Secretary General of Swaziland Local Transport, had shared words of condolences to the bereaved families, a loud scream from the tent was heard.

Moments later, the woman was motionless on the ground and crying hysterically.
The woman was taken away with a stretcher from the tent by paramedics and rushed her to an ambulance which was parked adjacent to the tents.
An aunt of Mpumelelo Dlamini, the late driver of the kombi, also fell to the ground as she too was overwhelmed by grief.

Men of the cloth from different churches took turns and shared words of encouragement to the bereaved families.
So sad was the situation as people wept uncontrollably. Worship songs were the order of the day.

The service was attended by people from all walks of life; elders, youth as well as politicians who came to offer support to the bereaved families.
During the service, it was disclosed that the kombi had only been operating in the area for three months. National Chairperson of Local Kombi Association Mandla Dlamini also shared his words of encouragement to the bereaved families.

“We thank the support shown by Dups as they have come forward to donate coffins for all the deceased. We also appreciate the gesture shown by the armed forces for coming all out to assist.

“The Local Kombi Association will also contribute E1 000 per homestead to the bereaved families. We have been witnessing fatalities in the past, especially during the festive season. We need to pray and ask the Lord to be with the affected families in these trying times,” Dlamini said.
Also to take to the podium was the drivers’ representative identified as Sacolo.

Sacolo praised the attitude of the driver and said he was a well behaved somebody in the area and at his workstation.
“I am not only praising him because he is dead, but everyone who once worked close to him can attest to my remarks. His colleagues at the bus rank could not make it today to the mass memorial service.

“They are still struggling to accept that their colleague is no more,” said Sacolo.

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