The community of Imbali in Pietermaritzburg was plunged into mourning this week as friends, family, and officials gathered to bid farewell to 16-year-old Mthobisi Khambule, one of the learners who tragically lost their lives in last week’s school transport accident.
The accident occurred when a minibus transporting pupils to school veered off the road and crashed into a crèche in Unit 18, Imbali Township. The devastating crash claimed the lives of five learners, leaving the community shaken and parents demanding answers.
The Final Goodbye
On Saturday, Khambule’s funeral service was held at the Unit 14 Community Hall, where mourners gathered in large numbers to pay their respects. His passing marks the fourth burial among the learners killed in the accident, with one more victim, Nomalanga Ndawonde, having passed away on Friday morning. Her funeral arrangements are currently underway.
Family, friends, classmates, and members of the public attended the service, with the atmosphere heavy with grief. Many remembered Khambule as a bright young soul whose future was cut short far too soon.
Family Seeks Answers
Speaking on behalf of the family, Khambule’s uncle, Themba Ndawonde, expressed their deep pain and frustration at the lack of clarity surrounding the cause of the accident.
“We still don’t know the cause of the accident,” Ndawonde explained. “We’ve heard there might have been an issue with the vehicle’s brakes, but nothing has been confirmed. We only know that the driver lost control of the taxi. Why he lost control, we don’t know yet. No updates have been given to us regarding the investigation.”
The uncertainty has added to the family’s anguish, as they hope authorities will soon provide answers that could bring some closure.
Officials Pay Their Respects
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma attended the funeral to offer condolences and support to the grieving family. Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed that Khambule was one of the five learners severely injured when the Toyota Siyaya minibus experienced brake failure on T22 Road in Unit 18.
Sibiya emphasized that the Department of Transport, in collaboration with other agencies, has adopted an integrated approach to assist the affected families and schools during this difficult time. “Three other learners have already been laid to rest, and the province remains committed to providing emotional and logistical support to all those affected,” he said.
A Community in Mourning
The accident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of scholar transport in KwaZulu-Natal. The Imbali community has been shaken by repeated accidents involving school transport in recent months, with parents now calling for stricter regulations and inspections of vehicles used to transport children.
For the families, however, the immediate focus remains on mourning their children and seeking justice. The loss of five young lives has left a scar on the community, serving as a painful reminder of the urgent need for road safety enforcement.
As Khambule was laid to rest, mourners reflected on his short but impactful life, while demanding accountability to ensure such tragedies are not repeated. The grief-stricken community of Imbali now faces the difficult journey of healing, united by their loss and their call for safer transport for schoolchildren.
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