The early hours of what should have been a joyous Mother's Day in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, turned into a scene of unimaginable grief on May 11, 2025. A deadly collision on the N2 highway near Empangeni claimed the lives of eight members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), leaving sixteen others injured and a community in mourning.
The incident involved a Hyundai H-1 minibus, a Light Delivery Vehicle (LDV), transporting 24 ZCC members to Dukuduku in Mtubatuba. These congregants, mostly women, were travelling after attending a church service at Esikhaweni. As they made their way along the N2, a tow truck, for reasons yet to be fully determined, struck the rear of their vehicle with devastating force.
The impact of the collision was catastrophic. Eight of the occupants of the minibus were killed instantly, reportedly flung from the vehicle upon impact. The scene that unfolded was one of chaos and devastation, with injured survivors scattered along the highway and emergency services rushing to provide assistance.
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service personnel were among the first to arrive at the scene. They found a scene of carnage, with multiple casualties and injured individuals in desperate need of medical attention. Paramedics immediately began triaging the injured, providing emergency medical care to the sixteen survivors.
Four of the injured were in critical condition, their lives hanging in the balance. Twelve others sustained serious injuries, requiring urgent medical treatment. All of the injured were transported to nearby hospitals in Empangeni for further care, where medical teams worked tirelessly to stabilize them and provide the necessary treatment.
The news of the accident spread quickly, casting a pall of gloom over the region. The fact that the tragedy occurred on Mother's Day added another layer of heartbreak, as many of the deceased were mothers, leaving behind grieving families and communities.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed his profound sadness and shock at the news of the accident. He conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that his office would provide all necessary support during this difficult time.
Duma assembled a dedicated team from his office to liaise with the church and the affected families, offering assistance with funeral arrangements and other logistical needs. He also mandated the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to work closely with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
Preliminary reports indicated that the tow truck struck the rear of the Hyundai H-1, but the exact circumstances leading up to the collision remained unclear. The driver of the tow truck was taken in for questioning by the KwaZulu-Natal road traffic inspectorate. Initial reports suggested that the driver claimed he did not see the minibus, raising suspicions that he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
The RTMC and police launched a joint investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident. Investigators were tasked with examining the scene, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing the vehicles involved to piece together the events that led to the tragedy.
The N2 highway, a major artery connecting various parts of KwaZulu-Natal, was temporarily closed to allow emergency services to attend to the injured and clear the wreckage. The closure caused significant traffic delays, but authorities worked quickly to reopen the road as soon as it was safe to do so.
As the investigation progressed, authorities confirmed that the driver of the tow truck had been arrested. The charges against him were not immediately clear, but he was expected to face serious consequences if found to be responsible for the accident.
The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, expressed the department's heartbreak over the tragedy. He emphasized the devastating impact of losing a mother, describing it as a deeply painful experience that marks a radical change in the family's life.
The accident also highlighted the risks faced by ZCC members and other religious groups who often travel long distances in large numbers to attend church services and other gatherings. Concerns were raised about the safety of these journeys and the need for improved transportation options for religious communities.
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