Anger over death crash probe
AS FAMILIES of five friends and relatives who perished in a horror crash in Bergville two weeks ago struggle with their loss, anger is mounting that the driver of the other vehicle, a traditional leader believed to be close to the ANC, has yet to be questioned by police.
Rumours swirling through the KwaZulu-Natal interior town are that the driver of the Land Rover SUV might have been involved in six accidents over the years, had his driving licence revoked, might have been under the influence of alcohol in the latest incident and was driving on the wrong side of the road.
Police have refused to divulge any information, describing the situation as “sensitive”.
However, a police source has confirmed the identity of the man and local IFP councillor Abbas Warasally confirmed the driver is a well-connected traditional leader.
“Our concern is that we still don’t know where he is. We’re trying to find him,” he told POST this week. “They (police) won’t even tell me if he’s in hospital, at his house or in hiding.”
Warasally had also asked the ANC for assistance, without success, he said.
“As a political organisation, if you tell me you don’t know the chief of your region, then something is wrong.”
Approached by POST, ANC KZN spokesperson Mdumiseni Ntuli said the party would look into the matter.
“It must be stated that the ANC discourages those who violate the rules of the road and will not condone any acts of lawlessness. We are saddened that so many lives were lost and our hearts go out to the families affected.”
The traditional leader, who cannot be named because he has not been charged, was also contacted for comment, but asked that he be contacted later.
His phone was subsequently switched off.
Cosmetic store employees Hoosen Khaliq Asmal, his mother Mariam Asmal, Ashraf Sayed Camroo, his brother Hafez Ahmed Sayed Camroo and Ariyanah Akoo were killed in the accident on the R616 on September 4.
They and three others were heading home in a Toyota Avanza when the vehicle was involved in a collision with a Land Rover.
A police source said the SUV driver was believed to have been under the influence of alcohol when paramedics assessed him.
“He was taken to hospital for treatment and once he has recovered will be taken in for questioning to determine his side of the story. At this time, the case is still under investigation and no one has been charged yet. Police are busy with the process of collecting witness statements and obtaining expert evidence.”
Warasally said the tragedy had sent shockwaves through the community.
It is believed the Land Rover driver was returning from an ANC rally when the collision occurred.
One of the three survivors, Nerosha Moodley, 27, has since been removed from life support but remains in ICU after undergoing two operations.
She suffered five broken ribs, a ruptured liver, damaged lung and severe internal bleeding, her 32-yearold husband, Anthony, said.
Store owner Junaid Asmal said losing so many staff members at once had left him with a heavy heart.
Some of the victims had worked for him for more than 14 years and had become like family to him, he said.
“There are no words to describe how I feel. It is completely heartbreaking.
“The entire company is traumatised but we are trying to pick up the pieces a day at a time. It is a difficult time for all of us.”
Akoo’s husband Zubair said he was taking things one day at a time as he grieved for his 27-year-old wife and mother of their two children.
He is a floor manager at a supermarket in Ladysmith.
“I am trying to return to normal life, but how can I? It’s really hard,” he said.
“The other day I had to console my son who was crying in the room. I had to explain to him that his mom is at peace.”
A family member of Hoosen Khaliq Asmal and his mother Mariam said: “We were all so close. I used to visit the store all the time to see them.
“We always joked and laughed together.”