Prayers to break accident ‘curse’ of N2

IN A desperate attempt to curb road carnage that has claimed many lives and left many families devastated over the years, the Mbhashe local municipality and provincial department of transport held an interfaith road-cleansing ceremony yesterday morning in Dutywa.

Gathered on Timane field in Dutywa were both Christian worshippers and leaders in Xhosa religious traditions.

Mbhashe mayor Samkelo Janda told the Dispatch the community of Mbhashe had suffered a high number of fatal road accidents on the N2 since last December.

“Mbhashe has had its fair share of tragedy. As we enter the festive season, we encourage the constituents of the municipality to take caution on the roads,” said the mayor, adding that at least 20 people had been killed since July.

Provincial traffic head Mawethu Mxi could not confirm the figure as his system was offline yesterday.

“Many lives have been lost through accidents on the N2.

“Even more devastating is when these accidents claim the lives of people from the same families,” said the mayor.

In August, the most recent accident claimed eight lives, five of them women, when the bakkie they were travelling in from Dutywa to their village in Mangathi overturned on the N2.

Janda said it was at the memorial service for the eight last month that transport MEC Weziwe Tikana called on all religious groups to make a devotion towards cleansing the road, each according to their own beliefs.

“This matter affects all the constituents regardless of their religious affiliations,” said Janda.

Traditional healer Mziwoxolo Sigwani heeded the call to break “the curse”. “We call upon the spirits to help us with this battle where we are fighting the darkness of this curse. We are here to bring some healing and to save our people,” he said.

Reverend Lusapho Gexa said it was time to put an end to the bloodshed.

“Our people are dying on these roads and the time has come for us to pray for no more bloodshed in Mbhashe.

“We pray that drivers adhere to the rules of the road to ensure everyone arrives safe at their destinations,” said Gexa. —