Two school children died, and three other family members were seriously injured after a driver sped past their house in Waterval on Saturday, 5 November, and ran them over while they were standing outside.
The driver, who was allegedly speeding and under the influence, lost control over the vehicle when it hit the five family members. Eighteen-year-old Ntsakisi Hlungwane, a Grade-12 pupil at Waterval High, and 6-year-old Sharon Mapholi, a Grade-1 pupil at Mulweli Primary, died at the scene. The other three injured members were rushed to Elim Hospital for treatment. At the time of our going to press, only one of them was still hospitalised.
According to the uncle of the deceased children, Mr Matimu Maluleke, the driver was a woman, and they had found many bottles of alcohol inside her car. "We are greatly saddened by what had happened here. Ntsakisi and Sharon were still so young. This reckless driver has taken their lives and the state didn't do anything. She was not arrested, nor did the police take any blood samples. We know this woman. She used to work at the local magistrate's court and now she is working at Home Affairs. We see her walking around freely as if nothing happened." Maluleke said that they would not rest until this person was brought to book.
Police spokesperson in Limpopo Lt Col Mamphaswa Seabi confirmed that a case of culpable homicide had been opened, following the incident. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.
Ntsakisi and Sharon will both be buried at Waterval this Saturday (12 November). The service starts at 06:00.