Nelsville family seek justice for loved ones

MBOMBELA - A horrific car accident in Nelsville has left a local family grieving the sudden loss of their mother and close family friend while the man who allegedly caused the accident seems to have faced no repercussions to date.

A Nelsville resident, Manuel Bernardo (known to many as Mr Veg), was driving toward Nelsville with his wife, Elsie Mohlala, and their good friend, Penda Maseko, at around 20:00 on September 24 when the incident occurred.

While driving toward the area the occupants spotted another vehicle exiting Nelsville, driving recklessly.

Mohlala said to her husband “that car better not drive into us”, seconds before the vehicle collided with theirs, instantly killing both Maseko and Mohlala, and severely injuring Bernado.

Bernado and Mohlala's daughter, Lucia Bernado, said she received a phone call from her sister that evening, stating that their father was not feeling well.

“He told my sister he was at the robots near Nelsville and we thought he was by himself. I rushed out and as I arrived, I saw ambulances and police everywhere. I saw my mother stuck in the car and she was dead,” said an emotional Lucia.

“The man who hit their car was on the scene. He is very well-known in the community and was having his head bandaged by paramedics when we arrived. But after the medics had finished checking him out he got into a friend’s car and left.

“The police were there and I don't understand how they let him leave the scene.”

Lucia said the friend who came to fetch the well-known businessman even swore at her and her husband when the pair asked why he was fleeing the scene.

She said her father was only discharged from hospital last Wednesday and could not attend the funeral of his wife due to his injuries.

“This accident was a real shock and brought so much pain for our families and the community,” said Lucia.

She said the businessman who allegedly caused the crash is “a well-known and respected man which may cause some of the witnesses not to come forward or give out their names as they scared.

“To tell you the truth, I'm also scared. My mother was a person who worried no one and lived her life to the fullest.

She was a very jolly person who not only provided for me and my brothers, but my children as well.

“It is a great loss. We don't know how we will survive this life without her.”

Speaking of the businessman, Lucia said that everyone makes mistakes, but that we need to acknowledge them.

“He was very wrong to have left the accident scene. Not even a sorry in almost three weeks since the accident happened. How does he sleep? He robbed two families of their loved ones. I just hope our justice system really steps up on this.”

The identify of the businessman is known to Lowvelder, however, he cannot be named as he has not yet been charged or appeared in court. The police had not yet responded to queries at the time of going to press.

This is a developing story and updates will be provided as soon as the SAPS responds.