In court on Tuesday, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, pictured, came face to face with Celumusa Ngwenya, the main who has been charged in connection with an accident which claimed the lives of six family members of the minister.
Celumusa Ngwenya appeared at the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday January 16 on six counts of culpable homicide, in connection with the motor vehicle accident in which family members of Transport Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga were killed.
Those who died in the accident on the N11 highway outside Ladysmith on July 17, 2022, were aged between four and 40 years old.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said following the accident and prosecutor-guided investigations, Mr Ngwenya, 34, appeared in court on summons. During court proceedings he opted for Legal Aid assistance, and the matter was postponed to February 14 for consultation and copies of the docket.
The minister was in court on Tuesday, her eldest son Khulekani Xaba, daughter-in-law Zinhle and her four grandchildren having been killed in the crash that involved a bakkie and a sedan.
Ms Chikunga told the media at the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday that she had a newfound understanding of the trauma people face in such cases. She said attending the case each time brings back memories of the accident and that she dearly missed her grandchildren, daughter-in-law and her son.
Ms Ramkisson-Kara said Mr Ngwenya will remain out on warning since he was brought to court on summons.