A FAMILY is grieving the death of their son Kgaugelo Malatjie (17) was hit by a speeding locomotive train.
Kgaugelo left home to herd seven cows for grazing.
But he never made it.
He was hit by a locomotive engine whilst crossing the herd on the vandalised railway line which cuts through his Buffelshoek Village outside Acornhoek near Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga on Saturday, 18 March at about 9 am.
His saddened uncle Moses Malatjie (45) said they became worried when they heard the train rattle as it honked its horn repeatedly before stopping.
"The train stopped a distance away after hitting him and the cow. It then reversed to the scene. But it quickly sped off as villagers came running to find out why.
“We couldn't believe our eyes seeing Kgaugelo and the cow lying bleeding next to the railway tracks. We alerted the police who quickly activated paramedics who certified him dead upon arrival at the scene,” he said.
Malatjie said Kgaugelo was an orphan and raised him after his mum died in 2007.
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He said the young herdsman loved animals and dreamed of becoming a veterinary doctor.
“We are blaming the Transnet Freight Rail for his death. As you can see, this infrastructure is fenceless, damaged and poorly maintained. They have to handle his funeral," Malatjie added.
Bushbuckridge Livestock Farmers Association Chairman Nicholas Khumalo said: "This infrastructure is vandalised starting from Klaserie and Kaapmuiden as well its fence alongside causing many livestock, especially the cows and the villagers constantly vulnerable to be killed by the train. We have long been complaining about it."
Transnet Freight Rail spokeswoman Kathy Jaftha confirmed that the incident was reported in Cottondale on the Selati line.
"There is a push from some within the local Community Forum to force Transnet Freight Rail to prematurely take responsibility for this fatality. Through our community engagement channels, we have indicated to the community that this incident is a focus of an ongoing police investigation. We can only make pronouncements on this fatality once the investigation has been concluded," she said.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said an inquest case was registered for investigation.
