Joseph Maboee, on Friday, was putting together the final preparations for his son’s birthday party on Saturday, when he got the devastating news that both of his sons and their friend had been killed in a horrific accident in Umhlatuzana, near Chatsworth.
Instead of celebrating, the family is in mourning and trying to come to terms with their loss.
Four people, including three children, were killed when a low bed tow truck allegedly lost control and collided with four children who were walking to school on Chatsworth Main Road, in Umhlatuzana.
Upon arrive at the scene, ALS paramedics had to call for more assistance and the vehicle was found lying on its roof, said spokesperson Garrith Jamieson.
“A total of five people were involved in this collision. Unfortunately, three people – the driver of the truck and two small children aged approximately six and nine, were declared deceased on the scene. The other who was critically injured at the scene and rushed to hospital unfortunately succumbed to his injuries a while later,” said Mr Jamieson.
He said events leading up to the crash were unknown at this stage. SAPS members were on the scene and are investigating the matter.
The children who passed away in the accident are Thato Maboee, 9, Grade 3; Dimpho Maboee, 11, Grade 5 and Buseni Nyemele, 6, Grade 1.
“It’s unbelievable what has happened. We are broken. To lose two sons at one time – is not something you can ever get over or recover from,” said a distraught Mr Maboee, who works in Bellair.
“Just in the morning, before they went to school, we were talking about Thato’s party that was going to be held on Saturday. He kept teasing me that I was not invited because a month earlier was his mum’s party and we went to Blue Lagoon to celebrate without the children. So, he said he was having his party without us and that only his brother and friends could attend. But he said, I could attend if I was going to braai for them.”
Describing his sons as inseparable, Mr Maboee said it was no wonder then, that in death too, they could not part.
“They were always together. My wife and I used to say that we pray they remain this close for the rest of their lives. They would fight and joke and make up. They really had a strong bond. That’s why even death could not separate them,” said Mr Maboee.
“We want to say thank you to everyone who is with us. The community is with us every day. From Seaview, Hillary, Bellair, Umhlatuzana and Chatsworth – everyone is in pain with us. They are calling my children, their children … my loss, their loss. We are together in this,” said Mr Maboee.
Acting school principal Nomusa Sibiya said the children, who lived at the Coedmore Informal Settlement in Seaview, travelled a distance to the Umhlatuzana Primary School because they did not get placement at a nearby school.
In a series of unfortunate events leading up to the accident that morning, she said, they were late and had missed the two school buses that transported them and were therefore walking.
“Due to many children living a distance from school and private transport being unavailable, through the Departments of Transport and Education, we have managed to arrange for a bus to transport our learners,” said Ms Sibiya.
“On this day, these children missed both buses and were walking to school when the incident happened. Our school community is devastated and trying to rally as much support as we can for the families – be it in financial or kind. We have also arranged with the Department of Social Welfare to counsel the fourth child who narrowly escaped harm on the day but witnessed her family and friends being mowed over by the tow truck.”
She said the fourth child remains in hospital and that the parents did not want her identity revealed at this stage.
Ward councillor Gavin Hegter, of the Democratic Alliance, said the support from the community was overwhelming.
“The Umhlatuzana Community Policing Forum has been phenomenal and arranged a night vigil last night (Sunday night) with hundreds of people attending. They are also co-ordinating efforts to assist the family,” said Mr Hegter.
He said he and his neighbouring councillor Ms Samantha Windvogel, for years, have been motivating for speed strips or speed humps in the area but that they have been ignored by the eThekwini municipality.
“We are hoping that after this horrific incident, the municipality will listen to us so that our areas are made safer,” said Mr Hegter.
He said he was also awaiting a response from the municipality with regards to his application for financial assistance for the families.
“They are really in need of financial assistance. They live in an informal settlement and do not have the means to pay for the funerals. They are all also from the Eastern Cape and will need to transport the bodies back there. We are asking for anyone to assist in any way possible as well,” said Mr Hegter.