The untold story about Shirley’s death
MBABANE – The Times of Eswatini Sports Desk visited the scene where seasoned cyclist Shirley Motsa was hit by a truck and tragically passed away.
Upon arrival at the scene, this publication was guided by an eyewitness, who recounted how the incident unfolded. The source indicated that the late Motsa was jogging along the MR3 Public Road and the accident happened just by the off-ramp of the Manzana traffic circle, while she was running against oncoming traffic.
According to the source, as Motsa was jogging, an articulated white Mercedes-Benz horse and trailer truck, which was ferrying cement from Afrisam in Matsapha, approached.
Control
The driver, Steven Shuping from Free State, South Africa, allegedly failed to control the vehicle, and it veered off course and hit Motsa.
The source further stated that the truck dragged Motsa for about 50 metres, hitting a street light and dragging her into the drainage, resulting in a dislocated leg, chest damage, and severe facial injuries.
“It is appalling that the intoxicated driver, who tested over 0.70mg/l on the alcometre, failed to control the truck, which veered from the fast lane to the slow lane and struck her outside the yellow line. She was way outside the yellow line. The accident occurred so suddenly that Motsa was unable to avoid the oncoming truck,” the source asserted.
Upon close inspection, it was noted that the truck had left a visible trail on the ground, previously concealed by green grass, after hitting a small rise across the drain. It’s important to note that the truck was en route to Ngwenya Border Gate, destined for South Africa, when the 43-year-old driver caused the accident. Motsa was wearing black leggings with a white and orange T-shirt from the Golden Foot Club. Following the impact, both her black sneakers were displaced, and she lay helpless, face down.