logo
Culpable homicide investigation launched into N2 crash

Culpable homicide investigation launched into N2 crash

The Citizen12-05-2025

MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed that the driver of the tow truck was arrested after the tragic accident.
An investigation has been launched after eight church members lost their lives in a devastating accident on Sunday morning along the N2 near Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport confirmed the final death toll after initial reports suggested nine fatalities.
Accident on N2
Provincial Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma revealed that the accident involved a tow truck and a Hyundai H-100 bakkie.
'Members of the South African Police Service are investigating a case of culpable homicide,' Duma stated.
Additionally, Duma confirmed that the driver of the tow truck has been arrested.
He said both vehicles will be subject to a comprehensive investigation.
ALSO READ: Tow truck driver arrested after KZN crash kills 8
Church and community impact
The victims were members of Umkhumbi Wesethembiso Church in Zion, headquartered in Hluhluwe.
The horrific nature of the accident was compounded by the difficulty in identifying victims, with Duma noting that 'dismembered body parts resulted in the miscalculation of the victims'.
Reverand Simiso Mathe from the local Intathakusa Church in Zion said nine church members were initially treated and discharged, with three still receiving hospital treatment.
ALSO READ: One killed, four injured in head-on crash involving taxi in KZN
Support for crash victims
In response to the tragedy, Duma has mobilised support for the affected families.
'My office will work with the elders of Umkhumbi Wesethembiso Church in Zion and families to ensure that the departed are given a dignified funeral,' he said.
Furthermore, the department has mandated senior management from the Road Traffic Inspectorate and provincial chaplains to provide support to the grieving families.
Duma said counselling services will be extended to both emergency personnel and surviving church members to help them cope with the traumatic incident.
The victims' identification is scheduled to take place at the Richards Bay Mortuary.
NOW READ: 15 killed, five injured in head-on crash in Eastern Cape

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police response to gender-based violence falls short as victims are left unsupported
Police response to gender-based violence falls short as victims are left unsupported

IOL News

time8 hours ago

  • IOL News

Police response to gender-based violence falls short as victims are left unsupported

A concerned citizen, who witnessed a homeless woman violently assaulted by a man in a local park, has voiced her frustrations at the police's inadequate response to her pleas for help. Image: Morgan Morgan / Dall-E / DFA / Illustration The Gauteng Police have indicated that they are looking into the allegations made by a concerned Gauteng resident who alleges that her attempts to get help on behalf of a homeless woman who was being beaten up by another homeless male were not returned by the police. This comes as victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) who are often left to fend for themselves whenever they report their experiences to the police continue to experience abuse often in the hands of men. This week, a Tik Tok video by a Joburg woman has trended on social media with other women also relating their own experiences of GBV. According to the concerned citizen who witnessed an act of GBV in her neighbourhood park, what made the situation even worse is the fact that the woman was carrying a child on her back. "I woke up at 5.30am to go to work for five hours and take my dog to the park then I see a homeless man beating up a homeless lady, hitting her in the face, kicking her, punching her, and hitting her with a crate and what made this worse is that this woman has a baby on her back. "So, I ran to my car to call the Randburg and Douglasdale police, with no luck. I then called 10111, but they failed to log the call," she lamented. A spate of GBVF-related cases has put the spotlight on the police's ability to effectively deal with the scourge of GBVF. Likhona Fose, 14, was recently found murdered and mutilated. Image: X Responding to the video, Gauteng spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, said the allegations made by the concerned resident are being taken seriously by the police. "We take the allegations very seriously. Gender-based violence remains a top priority in the South African Police Service. We appeal to the woman who made these allegations to come forward and give us the time and date when the calls were made so that we can investigate. If any of our members are found to have acted inappropriately, disciplinary action would be taken against him or her," Masondo stated. Also, reacting to the viral video, Siyabulela Monakali, speaking on behalf of Ilitha Labantu, an anti-GBV advocacy group, indicated that there is a growing report of victims being turned away or their cases not being properly registered by the police. "This reflects a disturbing and ongoing failure within our police services. Despite numerous declarations that gender-based violence and femicide constitute a national crisis, the reality on the ground tells a different story. "Survivors continue to encounter police stations that are unresponsive, dismissive, or ill-equipped to provide immediate and effective assistance. The failure to properly record and investigate GBV cases undermines survivors' rights and perpetuates a culture of impunity," said Monakali. Sonke Gender Justice spokesperson, Bafana Khumalo, recently revealed that the scourge of GBVF in the country has become prevalent, with the police succeeding in some cases and failing in others. "GBVF is horrendously high in SA, as we all know. The UN General Secretary asserts that the rate of GBVF in SA is five times the global average. Significantly high. You will be aware that when the Minister of Police released the quarterly crime stats last week, the report indicated that sexual offences were still very high. "This is a mixed bag. Some cases are managed well where you have authorities acting swiftly and professionally. Sadly, this is not always the case as we recently witnessed with the Omotoso case," Khumalo said. In a statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) indicated that it will continue to keep a close eye on GBV cases, having arrested more than 19,000 suspects linked to domestic violence and GBV. "In 12 months, we have arrested more than 19,000 suspects who killed, assaulted, and raped women and young girls in this country. We have also sent 1,700 of them to prison, some got life in prison, and some 20-25 years in prison." As a result of the scourge, the police have recently established the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Investigations (FCS) unit, with a string of high-profile cases currently being investigated. These, the police say, range from the Olorato Mogale's murder as well as that of 14-year-old Likhona Fose. Monakali said that while the SAPS has adopted policies aimed at improving the handling of gender-based violence cases, in practice, many officers remain unprepared to meet the complex needs of survivors. "Trauma-informed, survivor-centred policing is not yet the norm, and officers too often lack the necessary training and resources to respond with sensitivity and urgency. The National Strategic Plan on GBVF sets clear mandates for capacity building, but implementation remains uneven and underfunded. "Without consistent and rigorous training in gender sensitivity, consent, and victim support, police responses continue to fall short, leading to delays, inadequate investigations, and low conviction rates. Moreover, accountability mechanisms for police misconduct or neglect remain weak, perpetuating a climate where survivors feel unsafe seeking help," Monakali stated. [email protected]

Gauteng DA accuses provincial govt of failing to prioritise residents' safety
Gauteng DA accuses provincial govt of failing to prioritise residents' safety

Eyewitness News

time8 hours ago

  • Eyewitness News

Gauteng DA accuses provincial govt of failing to prioritise residents' safety

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the Gauteng government of failing to prioritise the safety of residents in the province, citing that there are more than 100 unfilled vacancies for mechanics within the provincial police department. The party believes this has contributed to delays in the repair of South African Police Service (SAPS) vehicles, which often leads to a shortage of crime-fighting resources. DA's Shadow MEC of Gauteng Community Safety said this undermines crime prevention efforts. "This is unacceptable and shows that the Lesufi-led government is not prioritising the protection of the people of Gauteng or addressing unemployment. Many crimes could have been prevented if these positions had been filled, helping police combat crime by ensuring that vehicles are readily available for policing.' Meanwhile, in response to DA's questions, Premier Panyaza Lesufi wrote that the posts can only be filled by applicants who have the required skills and qualifications.

Are police winning the war on Gender-Based Violence?
Are police winning the war on Gender-Based Violence?

The Citizen

time11 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Are police winning the war on Gender-Based Violence?

Despite the challenges, police reported a strong showing in training and enforcement efforts. While nearly 100 police stations in the country still lack a dedicated Gender-Based Violence (GBV) desk, the South African Police Service (Saps) has exceeded several of its performance targets in the fight against gender-based crimes. GBV remains a crisis in South Africa, with alarming rates of women and children falling victim, often at the hands of those closest to them. On Wednesday, Saps briefed the Portfolio Committee on Police on its Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Action Plan. The plan, finalised on 15 January 2025, is aligned with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF and the term of the Seventh Administration (2025–2029), with an evaluation scheduled for 2028/29. Improving Services Despite the challenges, police reported a strong showing in training and enforcement efforts. 'From 1 April 2024 to 31 December 2025, 8 069 members received proactive GBV training, while 19 263 received reactive training, far exceeding the targets of 4 727 and 11,983 respectively,' the police said in their presentation. Of the country's 1 165 police stations, 1 070 have designated victim-friendly rooms (VFRs), leaving 95 stations to rely on alternative spaces. 'We completed 18 VFRs during the 2024/25 financial year and plan to add another seven in the current year,' Saps told MPs. All provinces scored 100% in meeting the performance criteria for victim-friendly services, offering some reassurance that victims are receiving adequate care where facilities are available. ALSO READ: Police rope in specialised team to probe murder of 14-year-old Lukhona Fose Investigation and Response Saps reported a detection rate of 69.84% for crimes against women (above the 68.13% target) and 63.32% for crimes against children (exceeding the 61.99% target). The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit also grew by 164 members over the past year. First responders have been trained in sexual offences (1 509 officers) and crime scene response (855 officers), strengthening frontline support. ALSO READ: GBV: Convicted Western Cape rapist on the loose a 'direct threat to women's safety' Room for Improvement However, the management of service complaints still has gaps. 'Out of 223 GBVF-related complaints received, only 175 (78.5%) were finalised within the 14-working-day window,' the report noted. Saps is also participating in intersectoral efforts to monitor femicide and is contributing monthly reports to the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities. 'Action plans will be reviewed annually between February and March to incorporate emerging priorities,' police said, as they reaffirmed their commitment to ending GBV and femicide. NOW READ: 'Declare Limpopo a GBV disaster zone' – ANCWL

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store