Families and friends of the women who died last week when the vehicle that they were travelling in, overturned and caught on fire, are unable to bury their loved ones.
The DNA results for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party members who perished in the taxi was still outstanding, prolonging the grief of those who knew and loved them.
Philisiwe Ngcoya, Victoria Shelembe, Lindi Dube, Lindiwe Mazibuko, Hlengiwe Chonco and Phumzile Magubane died on Saturday morning while travelling to Nkandla, from Estcourt, on their way to a celebrate the birthday of Sizakele Makhumalo Zuma, the wife of the former president Jacob Zuma.
According to the Department of Transport in KwaZulu-Natal, at approximately 10am, there was a collision along the R74 Sambaba area, uMzinyathi District involving one vehicle.
Preliminary reports indicated that a Toyota minibus left the roadway, crashing into guard rails, down an embankment, overturned and thereafter caught alight.
Six women, including the driver were killed, while 11 other passengers were taken to Untunjambili Hospital where they were being treated.
Shelembe’s nephew, Mondli Madinane, said the family was struggling to cope with her death.
He said that Shelembe, who resided in Wembezi, was an avid churchgoer who seldom attended events that were politically related.
“She was someone who was full of jokes and loved to laugh. She was also a straight-talker who expressed herself fully and held no grudges,” he said.
Madinane said that he was upset that they could not bury his aunt any time soon as the DNA test results of the deceased were yet to be made available.
Ngcoya’s brother, Thulani Madondo, said they too were struggling to accept her death.
“We are really not taking this well as a family, especially because of the very important role that she played in the family since the death of our mother.
“As old as I am, I always went to her for assistance with whatever problem that I encountered. What makes it even more painful is the manner in which she met her demise,” he said.
Madondo described Ngcoya as kind-hearted and loved going to church.
He said that they were yet to establish a date for her funeral as they were also awaiting the DNA results.
Nozipho Nxumalo, the friend of Dube said that the death of her best friend has left her heartbroken.
“She was a very helpful person. We will miss absolutely everything about her because she was very helpful to her family and to us as her friends,” she said.
Nxumalo said that not being able to bury Dube was upsetting.
“It is very painful to know that she will not be laid to rest any time soon, especially because she was burnt to ashes. It would have been better and more consoling if we could bury her and then begin the healing process,” she said.
The MKP has since relayed its condolences to the families of the deceased.
Spokesperson for the police in the province, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed the incident, adding that the Kranskop police were investigating a case of culpable homicide.