Five people died when a bakkie collided with a taxi at Maangani village on Saturday. The taxi was ferrying passengers from Biaba to Makushu and surrounding areas when the accident happened.
The deceased are a taxi driver of Thononda, Mr Humbulani Manena (37), Ms Jeritha Mudau (18) of Ha-Makushu, Duncan Mudzwari (4) and Takalani Ndangula (30), both from Ha- Makushu, and the driver of the bakkie, Mr Vhudzumbamo Tshidavhu (23) of Ha-Rabali. Other passengers were treated and later discharged at the hospital.
An eyewitness, Mr Marcus Damari, said he had heard a loud banging sound before the accident happened. "I was standing next to the road, when I suddenly heard that sound," he said.
Khosikhulu Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana has expressed his shock over the accident. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased during this time of grief, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured ones." The Makhado mayor, Cllr Shonisani Sinyosi, expressed her condolences to the families and said that their loved ones would always be remembered.
The deceased, Mudau, Ndangula and Mudzwari, will be buried on Saturday and Manena will be buried on Sunday at Thononda. The services will start at 06:00.