The Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Polly Boshielo, accompanied by the MEC for Social Development, Dr Namane Dickson Masemola and councillors from the Thulamela and Vhembe municipalities, visited the families in Tshixwadza village in Ha-Rammbuda on Wednesday to express their condolences following Tuesday's horror crash near Polokwane that claimed ten lives.
Nine members of the Nwedamutswu royal house lost their lives in the accident, which also claimed the lives of a neighbour of theirs. According to a police report, the Toyota Fortuner they were travelling in, collided head-on with a truck on the N1 bypass near the Mall of the North in Polokwane. They family members were on their way back from Gauteng to their home village.
The spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Community Safety, Ms Tidimalo Chenue said that the Fortuner seemingly lost control and collided head-on with a truck. Fatigue is suspected as a possible cause of the accident.
Chenue said the deceased were identified as Mahlatse Aphane, Francina Aphane, Anna Aphane, Victor Marite, Gordon Nwedamutswu, Doreen Nwedamutswu, Othathile Nwedamutswu, Alina Segatle, Tshedza Phalanndwa and Boikatso Segatle.
During Wednesday's visit to the bereaved family members, the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Polly Boshielo, said that they had decided to visit the bereaved family to offer condolences and console the family. "We have also dispatched social workers to the family, so that they can offer some counselling to the affected families," said Namane Dickson Masemola, the MEC for Social Development.
The family spokesperson, Mr Mulalo Nemakonde, described what had happened as a tragedy. "We have lost parents, children, relatives and a neighbour during the horrific accident," said Nemakonde. He said a mass funeral is scheduled to take place in Tshixwadza sport ground on Saturday, 10 September.