By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Phill Magakoe.
At least six Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party members were killed in an accident in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday while en route to a celebratory event in Nkandla.
The accident occurred before noon on Saturday.
Fullview understands the group of MK party members were travelling in a minibus taxi from Estcourt to Nkandla for the birthday celebration of the wife of MK Party leader Jacob Zuma.
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said while they can never fully dissect the anatomy of the pain caused by such grief, they send their deepest and most heartfelt condolences to their next of kin.
Ndhlela also assured that they will support the families of the deceased members during these trying times.
“As uMkhonto weSizwe Party we salute their bravery and we shall pick up the spear and continue the battle. May their revolutionary souls find solace and rest in peace, as we wish a speedy recovery to our injured comrades,” Ndhlela said.
In a separate accident, eleven people, including a 12-year-old child, have been killed in a head-on accident in KwaZulu-Natal.
It is understood the crash happened on the R622 between Greytown and Mooi river on Saturday afternoon.
Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Roberton said emergency services crews were dispatched to the scene where they were met with a grim scene.
Another three people were killed in accident on the R74 between Stanger and the N2.
IPSS Medical Services Samanthan Meyrick said the collision between the two vehicles happened on Saturday.
South Africa has one of the most developed road networks on the continent but also one of the worst road safety records, in part due to reckless driving and non-roadworthy vehicles.
Earlier this week, a bus travelling from Zimbabwe lost control and overturned in South Africa’s northeastern Limpopo province, killing 10 people and injuring 35.
In the worst road accident in South Africa this year, 45 people heading to a religious event were killed in March when their bus plunged off a bridge into a ravine in the north of the country.