A day meant for fun and laughter turned into a nightmare when 15-year-old Minenhle Dube was tragically killed in a road accident while on his way to play pool with friends. The heart-wrenching incident took place on Monday, 21 July, in Mavela village, Ndwedwe, north of KwaZulu-Natal.
According to witnesses, Minenhle had just left home and was crossing the road when a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi lost control and struck him. The impact was so severe that his body was dragged several metres before the vehicle slammed into a nearby wall, where it finally came to a halt. Sadly, Minenhle was declared dead on the scene.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) spokesperson Prem Balram confirmed the incident, saying their officers and paramedics rushed to the scene after receiving multiple calls from shocked bystanders requesting urgent medical help. Upon arrival, paramedics assessed the teen and found he had already succumbed to his injuries.
“The driver of the white Toyota Quantum told our officers he had been tailgating another vehicle. When that vehicle suddenly braked, he swerved to avoid a collision and ended up hitting the boy, who was on the opposite side of the road. The taxi dragged him several metres before crashing into a wall,” Balram explained.
Local residents, still shaken by the incident, expressed their sorrow and disbelief. Community member Thandiwe Mthembu said the entire village was heartbroken by the loss of such a young and respectful boy.
“Minenhle was well-loved and known for being polite to everyone, especially elders. He had simply gone out to enjoy a game of pool with his friends. It’s devastating to see a young life cut short so suddenly and so violently,” said Mthembu.
She added that the driver claimed he had not seen Minenhle and deeply regretted what had happened. However, his words provided little comfort to the grieving family and community.
The KwaZulu-Natal police have opened a case of culpable homicide. Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza confirmed that the Ndwedwe SAPS are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
“A case of culpable homicide has been opened following the incident in which a 15-year-old male pedestrian was knocked down and killed. He was declared dead at the scene,” Magwaza said.
Minenhle’s sudden and tragic death has left a gaping hole in the hearts of those who knew him. As his family mourns, the community of Mavela is calling for greater road safety and stricter driving standards to prevent such senseless losses in the future.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change and how vulnerable pedestrians are—especially children. As investigations continue, many are left asking how such a tragedy could have been avoided.
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