Following the horrific car accident that claimed the lives of five children in Mitchell’s Plain on Tuesday 30 May, families are still battling to come to terms with the loss.
The five learners, all from around Khayelitsha, attended different schools in Mitchell’s Plain, and were on their way to school when the driver of the vehicle they were travelling in allegedly lost control on AZ Berman Drive. He crashed into a traffic light, killing five and injuring two other children.
There has been outpouring support for the families and on Thursday 1 June, newly elected leaders of Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) visited families.
One of the victim’s parents Nomakhaya Betiwe (36), from Makhaza, said she was still traumatised by the incident and struggled to come to terms with the death of her daughter, Lelam (5).
“It is much better during the day, but the reality comes at night. I can’t cope at all. That morning, the incident happened, I woke up and prepared her for school and kissed her before she left the house. Little did I know that it was the last time that I would see her,” said Betiwe.
However, she stated that she did not hold a grudge against the driver as she knows he was “a good person”. She stated that her daughter’s death was the will of God.
“My daughter wouldn’t be dead if God didn’t want. Maybe she would be one of those who survived. I don’t blame the driver because I know him and he doesn’t drink,” she said.
However, Betiwe stated they faced the mammoth task to bury Lelam.
She appealed to the community to assist them with whatever for the family to bury her firstborn.
“We don’t have a date for the funeral yet since we are still waiting for the post-mortem results. But we will bury her here (Makhaza). And we are struggling. We are asking anyone who can assist us to come forward,” she said.
KDF secretary Nkosinathi Veza stated that they are trying to engage with all the affected families to ascertain their funeral needs and arrangements.
He stated that among the deceased, three are from Makhaya, one from Makhaza and another one from Harare. He said one of the survivors is also from Makhaya and he is not sure about the other one.
Spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department Kerry Mauchline said: “Our district has provided counselling and logistical support as required”.