Distraught chief hears of relative’s death through social media

A chief in Ngolo, a stone’s throw from where eight people were killed in a horrific headon collision involving two minibus taxis near Mthatha two weeks ago, has lambasted the careless and “inhumane” use of social media.

This after he learnt from a friend in Cape Town that one of his relatives had lost his life in the crash on the deadly N2.

Nkosi Mongezi Gobinamba Ndamase, addressing mourners at a memorial service of four of the victims at his home in Ngolo, said it had been painful to learn of the death of a loved one in this way.

The four victims, Mvuzo Mthintweni, 30, a taxi driver, siblings Odwa, 28, and Siphosethu Magoda, 25, both employed by a construction company, and their friend Sanelisiwe Cosa, an education assistant at Ntililini Junior Secondary in neighbouring Sibangweni village, were reportedly travelling to Mthatha when they met their untimely death on the wet and slippery N2 on May 14.

Six people died on impact. Two victims later died in hospital after two Toyota Quantum minibus taxis collided.

Sibangweni resident and Cosa’s neighbour, Noxolo Mjuleni, said the victim’s mother was too distraught to speak to the media.

She said Cosa, a mother of two, had left for Mthatha to have her hair done, but failed to return home.

“She [her mother] initially thought she may have stayed over with friends.

“We only knew she was among those killed when our village’s sub headman came to break the news on Tuesday, two days after the accident.

“She was very ambitious and her unemployed mother had pinned her hopes on her to uplift them.”