Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has welcomed the 10-year jail sentence imposed on the driver who caused the collision that claimed the lives of her son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren in 2022.
The Ladysmith Regional Court sentenced Celumusa Ngwenya, 35, to an effective 10 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to six counts of culpable homicide.
His plea relates to the motor vehicle accident that occurred on July 17, 2022, on the N11 highway, outside Ladysmith, The accident claimed the lives of six people who were family members of Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said the deceased were aged between four years and 40 years old. Following the accident and prosecutor-guided investigations, Ngwenya appeared in court in January 2024, on a summons.
“In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Sathsha Budhram led the evidence of advocate Makhosini Msibi from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). Mr Msibi told the court that South Africa has approximately 12 541 vehicle-related accidents, costing the economy about R 198 billion.
“According to a vehicle tracker report handed into court, Mr Ngwenya was driving at 158km/h in an 80km zone, and he overtook on a double barrier line, around a bend. Since all the six counts were taken as one for sentencing, Mr Ngwenya will serve an effective 10-year imprisonment. Further, in terms of Section 34 of the National Road Traffic Act, his driver’s licence was cancelled,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
She added that Ms Chikunga had submitted a victim impact statement to the court outlining the pain and trauma experienced by her family following the incident. This was handed in to the court as part of the state’s case. She said Ms Chikunga welcomes the sentence imposed on the driver in fatal crash. Her son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren were killed in the accident.
Speaking after the Ladysmith Regional Court imposed the sentence, Ms Chikunga commended the court for the sentence.
“Justice has been done. However, it is not going to bring back my children. I lost six children, who had a bright future ahead of them,” Ms Chikunga said.
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