KwaZulu-Natal premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called on law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending the individuals responsible for throwing a car battery off a Durban bridge that killed Pietermaritzburg resident Madhumathie Bunwarie.
Bunwarie, 61, and her husband Shakthi had been returning to Pietermaritzburg after attending the funeral of her uncle in Durban on Sunday September 29, when a battery thrown from a bridge on the N3 near the Pavilion Shopping Centre caused her serious injury resulting in her death.
Bunwarie said he had been talking to his wife when the battery smashed through the windscreen and hit his wife, who was seated in the passenger seat. Despite rushing his wife immediately to the hospital, she was declared dead on arrival.
“I didn’t know what had happened. I just saw the battery smashing through the windscreen. I looked at Madhu and saw her face was swollen, her eye injured. I didn’t know what to do – I just held her with one hand and drove to the Westville Hospital. I thought she was still alive. I didn’t realise she had died there and then. Her body still felt warm. Everyone just gave me way seeing the condition of the car,” said Bunwarie.
Posting on his social media page about his loss, Bunwarie said : “My darling Madhu was brutally killed by a battery thrown from the bridge just passed the Pavilion we were returning from a funeral on Sunday afternoon”.
Premier Ntuli in a statement on Tuesday said: “We need justice, not only for Mrs Bunwarie but for all victims of violence and reckless criminality in our province. I have instructed the Department of Community Safety and Liaison to work closely with SAPS to increase police visibility and patrols in high-risk areas, particularly near bridges along major highways. We must ensure that incidents like these are prevented at all costs. The safety of our people is non-negotiable. Additional security measures, including the installation of surveillance cameras and heightened monitoring of bridges, will be explored urgently to deter such cowardly acts of violence. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement without delay. Together, as a community, we must stand united against those who seek to disrupt the peace and security of our province,” said the Premier.
“Police in Westville are investigating a case of culpable homicide following an incident in which a 61-year-old woman sustained head injuries whilst in a vehicle,” KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said.
“It is alleged that she was hit by a battery that came through the windscreen on September 29 on the N3 westbound,” Colonel Netshiunda said.
Madhumathie’s funeral will be held at the Aryan Hall on Wednesday at 11.30am.
