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KOMBI CRASH DEATH TOLL NOW 10, NINE IDENTIFIED

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MBABANE – The death toll of the passengers of the kombi which was involved in a horror crash at Gobholo on Tuesday afternoon has risen to 10.

The accident is believed to have been caused by the kombi’s faulty brakes and left residents of Gobholo reeling from shock. Eyewitnesses said the kombi plunged down a 60-metre cliff, landing in the Gobholo River. The latest death toll was confirmed by Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati. The deceased have been identified as Xondile Lukhele (Sihlongonyane) (30), Somandla Maseko (27), Siphiwe Shabangu (53), Linda Mabuza (18), Phindile Tsela (50), Lucy Magagula, Bhekumuzi Mdluli (29), Mfanzile Magagula and Gcebile Dlamini, who died while undergoing treatment at the Mbabane Government Hospital. Dlamini died yesterday morning and her next of kin have not been identified yet. One of the victims has still not been identified.

Survived

Some of the passengers who survived the accident were identified as Mthobisi Mavuso (14) of Gobholo, Joseph Dlamini (Kasiko), Thandeka Mabuza (24) from Ntsintsa and Thulani Dlamini (33) from Sitseni. Three of survivors sustained serious injuries and are currently recuperating at the Mbabane Government Hospital, while Thulani was treated and discharged on the same day following the accident. In an interview with some of the survivors, they mentioned that it was their first time to see the kombi in the area. They stated that the kombi showed signs of being faulty, making them uncomfortable to board it, although they continued with the ride.
Abraham Dabulabhande Mdluli who is a father to the deceased driver, Bhekumuzi, said although his son’s demise was shocking, he had been followed by misfortunes in the past.

Brake

Mdluli said his son, a few years ago, survived an accident along the Dlangeni Road. According to Mdluli, his son had been requested by some Chritians to take them to a certain church when the vehicle experienced a brake failure, landing in a huge donga. He said the accident was not severe and he escaped unscathed with the Christians. He, however, fractured his leg such that doctors had to insert certain metals in it. Following the accident, Mdluli said his son left to work in South Africa, where he drove tractors. Mdluli passed his condolences to the relatives of the deceased passengers, adding that he was at pains that his son was the alleged cause of all the deaths. “If only he died alone and not with the passengers who had entrusted their lives to him,” he said.

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