Speedster’s spin kills elderly street vendor
AN elderly street vendor was killed when an out-of-control Ford Mustang driver ploughed into her at the roadside in Piet Retief on Sunday.
The victim, Lungephi Mathe (73) of Ncotshane township outside Pongola suffered a serious fracture to her right leg after the incident.
She was rushed to a local clinic by a private vehicle and transferred to Itshelejuba Hospital, and later to Ngwelezana Hospital but died the following day.
The driver, Oscar Bhilah who is an employee at Pongola Municipality, was not arrested at the scene of the accident, but handed himself over to the police on Monday where he was charged with reckless and negligent driving, and inconsiderate driving.
He appeared at Pongola Magistrate's Court on Tuesday and was remanded in police custody pending an investigation.
He is expected to reappear at the same court on Monday.
The deceased's aggrieved son, Fani Mathe (48) alleges a local security guard removed the number plate and alcohol from the driver's car to prevent him from being arrested - a point that was refuted by police.
“It was the driver’s fault, he is known for unnecessary speeding. He was trying to show off as usual. He was protected and not arrested,” claims Mathe, who called for the arrest of the guard as well.
He further stated that traffic officers took the suspect away and left his mother lying at the roadside injured.
Talking about his mother, Mathe said she started working as a street vendor in 1987, a year after his father died.
“She started selling vegetables and fruit at the same spot to take care of us. She raised nine of us with what she was making there, and was also supporting her grandchildren with her earnings,” said Mathe.
Pongola municipal manager Mntonjani Khali declined to comment, saying the suspect was not on duty or driving a municipal vehicle when the accident occurred.
Zululand Cluster police spokesperson Captain Nkosie Gwala said a vehicle was found with no disc or number plates at the accident scene.
“When police arrived at the accident, the driver was not found, however, a traffic officer at the scene told police the driver was taken by RTI to Pongola Clinic to draw a blood sample.
“A breathalyser test was conducted and he was found to be under the drinking limit. That is why he was not arrested for drinking and driving. The number plates and disc were removed by the traffic cops,” said Gwala.