Lichtenburg â Mafikeng road today 4am
27 May 2007
Five people, two of them pastors of two independent churches, were killed
instantly and five others seriously injured after the vehicles they were
travelling in collided head-on along the Mafikeng - Lichtenburg Road, North
West, at pre-dawn today.
They have been identified as: Pastor Fani Ntsabane of Resurrection Christian
Church of Bodibe Village near Itsoseng location and Pastor Meshack Selane of
the Apostolic Faith Mission in Itsoseng near Lichtenburg. One of the vehicles
(a BMW sedan), with eight occupants including the driver, burst into flames on
impact. The bodies of the two occupants trapped inside the vehicle (BMW) were
burnt beyond recognition.
The BMW was travelling from Verdwaal village situated between Mareetsane and
Itsoseng, towards Lichtenburg. The ages of the teenage victims travelling in
BMW as well as survivors ranged between 17 and 20. All are said to be residents
of Verdwaal. Their identities have been withheld until their next of kin have
been informed.
The two other victims (male pastors) were also trapped in their brand new
Toyota Yaris still displaying a temporary permit licence. Their bodies were cut
free from the wreckage using the jaws of life. They were the only occupants in
their vehicle, travelling from the direction of Lichtenburg towards Mafikeng.
The body of one of the victims suspected to be the driver of the BMW, including
five others, who were seriously injured, were flung several metres away from
the point of impact on the right hand lane. Bodies were strewn on roadside
where they were attended to by emergency medical services.
North West Transport MEC, Jerry Thibedi, has expressed shock and sadness. He
appealed to all road users, especially motorists, to always be extra careful on
the road. "My sincere condolences to the families and relatives who lost their
loved ones in this horrific accident. I also wish those injured a speedy
recovery." The cause of the accident is yet to be confirmed but preliminary
investigations have not ruled out the possibility that human factors, (i.e.
excessive speed or falling asleep behind the wheel) may have been the main
cause.
It is not yet clear whether drivers of both vehicles are among the dead,
neither could it be established how many passengers were travelling in each of
the vehicles at the time of the accident.
The injured three women and two men were reported to be in a critical
condition at Thusong and Bophelong hospitals. All suffered multiple injuries.
Police have opened a case of culpable homicide. Today's accident brings to six
the number of fatalities on the road from Lichtenburg to Rooigrond Prison since
1 January this year.
Issued by:
Matshube Mfoloe
Director: Communication
Cell: 082 305 4594
Issued by: Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety, North West
Provincial Government
27 May 2007
