THEIR plan was to return home safely, but God had other plans.
These were the words of family representative, Daniel Thebe, who narrated how the Tlometsane family from Lefatlheng outside Hammanskraal, north of Tshwane, died.
He said the family received a call on Sunday, 11 February that Kagiso Phillimon (42), who had visited Mokopane, Limpopo, had fallen ill, so four family members decided to go and fetch him.
The deceased, Klaas Sello (64), Selaki Elizabeth (60), Kagiso Phillimon, Hendric Gontse (29), who was the driver, and Thabang Samuel (27) were travelling back home when their car collided head-on with a delivery vehicle along the Mookgophong road towards Mokopane.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Daniel said the unexpected deaths have left the family traumatised.
“The sad news reached us in the evening. A few days later, we still have unanswered questions," he said.
“What happened to the Tlometsane family is sad and scary at the same time, but we have to believe that God had other plans. Two cars collided head-on and none of them survived. We'll never know what happened. We're deeply hurt but we can't question God.”
Daniel said Selaki Elizabeth was his sister, and she was recently discharged from hospital for heart-related issues. He added that they don’t know how the other four siblings will survive as they were not working.
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Hudson Shikwane, who spoke at the memorial service on Thursday, 15 February, said Hendric Gontse's death has left the Spar staff in disbelief.
“When I received the news, I didn’t believe it. We've lost someone who was a hard worker and always willing to help and went the extra mile.”
One of the neighbours, Constance Monaledi, said she went to the same church with gogo Elizabeth.
“All these people were good and could live well with other residents around here. We'll miss them a lot and may their souls rest in peace,” she said.
Ward 18 Councillor, Joshua Motaung, said the tragedy has left them in shock.
The deceased will be buried on Sunday, 18 February.
The five family members were part of the seven people who died in an accident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 11 February on the R101 near Tobias in the Waterberg district of Limpopo.
