Mother’s Day tragic crash victims laid to rest
THE MOTHER’S Day tragic accident victims were laid to rest in KZN on Sunday, 18 May.
A mass funeral was held at Silethukuthula High School in Mtubatuba, north of KZN, for the nine members of the Umkhumbi Wesethembiso Church of Zion who died in a devastating road crash in Empangeni last Sunday, 11 May.
Seven women and two men who were members of the Zion Church all died in the tragedy that happened while they were returning home from a church service.
The tragic accident happened while the country was celebrating Mother’s Day.
The deceased church members were Makhosi Magwaza (57), Celiwe Zikhali (55), Dudu Mthembu (52), Winnie Mkhwanazi (52), Cabangile Mavundla (52), Qhamukile Khumalo (40), Sihle Ndamase (24), Mphikiseni Sithole (57), and Bongani Ndlovu (46).
The Mkhwanazi family opted to bury their loved one, Winnie Mkhwanazi, in Nongoma, also in the north of the province.
They all lost their lives when a tow truck crashed into the back of the taxi they were travelling in.
IN PICTURES: Siletha ithemba ebunzimeni | Sisebenza kanzima ukududuza imindeni | Siyazimisela ukuthoba amanxeba
Niphumule kahle:
1. Ms Sarafina Makhosi Magwaza (57) (Female)
2. Ms Celiwe Priscilla Zikhali 55 (Female)
3. Ms Dudu Octavia Mthembu (52) (Female)1/2. pic.twitter.com/e34NJfCogn
— KZN Transport (@KZNTransport) May 18, 2025
The grieving families and congregants from their church and others from different churches, dressed in their church uniforms, gathered under a marquee to pay their last respects.
Mqobi Msweli, who lost his mother, said he’s still devastated and he’s struggling to cope.
“Mother’s Day will never be the same for me after this. It will be a constant reminder that this was the day my mother left me,” he said.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, and the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlement, along with other officials from the municipality, attended the funeral.
Deputy Minister Hlengwa said the country’s law enforcement operations will ensure a fully-fledged prosecutorial process regarding the drivers of both the breakdown vehicle and the Hyundai vehicle.
