JOY turned to grief when six wedding guests were killed in a horrific crash on Sunday.
The guests were returning home when the accident happened.
About 82 people from Nquthu’s Mtshongweni Village, northern KZN, were packed in a truck on their way back home from attending a wedding in Pongola.
It is alleged the truck driver was drunk and lost control of the vehicle. It overturned and killed five people on the spot.
The sixth person died on arrival at hospital, while 76 others were hurt.
The dead are Mzamo Sithole, Zipho Ntombela, Meluleki Shandu, Khethukuthula Mbatha, Mzwakhe Sibisi and Nosipho Mkhwanazi.
Councillor Siyabonga Kunene said the victims were from the groom’s side.
“The wedding was between the Sithole and Ngobese families.
“So far six people have died but I suspect the number will increase,” he said.
Sibulelo Sithole (24), the brother of 16-year-old Mzamo, who was a grade 10 pupil at Zindlalele High School, said: “The truck driver was drunk.
“He should get a long sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol.”
Zinhle Mngomezulu, a spokeswoman for the KZN transport department, said the truck driver tried to flee the scene.
“But he was caught and arrested.”
KZN police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said charges of culpable homicide, drunk driving and reckless and negligent driving were laid at the Nquthu Police Station.
“The driver was arrested and is expected to appear in the Nquthu Magistrates Court soon,” said Zwane.
- In another accident, five people were killed and four sustained serious injuries when a car rolled down an embankment in Westville, Durban on Sunday. Zwane confirmed the incident and said a case of culpable homicide was being investigated.
