A Simelane family has been plunged into grief after three relatives died in a horrific head-on collision near Single Tree on Monday morning. The tragic crash involved a Volkswagen Polo and a Toyota Corolla Cross, resulting in six fatalities in total. The three members of the Simelane family were travelling in the Volkswagen Polo when the collision occurred. They were identified as Lucky Simelane, a teacher at Somnjalose High School; Ngcebo Asande Simelane, a 19-year-old student at a local tertiary institution; and 52-year-old Mduduzi Simelane, an agricultural employee.
The collision occurred at approximately 8am along the main road connecting Nhlangano and Hlatikhulu, near Single Tree. The Volkswagen Polo was travelling towards Hlatikhulu when the driver reportedly attempted an overtaking manoeuvre, lost control and swerved into the path of an oncoming Toyota Corolla Cross travelling towards Nhlangano. The two vehicles collided head-on, causing the Volkswagen Polo to roll over. The impact trapped the driver and one passenger inside the vehicle, while 19-year-old Ngcebo was thrown clear and found lying on the ground outside the vehicle.
All three male occupants of the Polo died from their injuries. The victims were brothers and a maternal uncle, with Lucky and Ngcebo sharing the same father but having different mothers, while Mduduzi was a maternal uncle to both of them. Family Spokesperson Moses Dlamini, who identified himself as their grandfather, recounted the heartbreaking moment the news reached their home. He said the family was in tremendous pain following the tragedy, as three relatives had died while travelling to pursue their respective careers and studies.
The Toyota Corolla Cross was carrying four employees of the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC) who were commuting to work. The force of the impact caused the doors of the vehicle to lock, trapping its occupants inside as the vehicle caught fire. Eyewitnesses who arrived moments after the collision rushed to render assistance, with the help of other passers-by, in an attempt to douse the spreading flames. However, the fire on the driver’s side was already too severe, leaving the driver beyond saving.
Three occupants of the Toyota Corolla Cross died in the inferno, including 31-year-old Sakhile Dlamini of Ludzeludze, an ESRIC employee and former Eswatini Under-20 national football star. Also killed were 45-year-old Nothando Mthande of Madonsa, who served as the ESRIC Nhlangano Branch manager, and a 36-year-old male employee whose identity was not known. A relative of Sakhile Dlamini shared the emotional toll the tragedy had taken on their household, describing Sakhile as a breadwinner who had mentioned suffering from stomach pains before the accident.
ESRIC has also been plunged into mourning following the road accident, which claimed the lives of three of its employees and left a fourth injured. The victims were all stationed at the corporation’s Nhlangano Branch. According to a press release posted on the company’s official Facebook page, the surviving staff member is receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the crash. The corporation expressed its deepest sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the deceased.
In response to the tragedy, ESRIC announced the immediate closure of its Nhlangano Branch until further notice. Customers and key stakeholders were advised that information and support would be provided in due course. The corporation added that it was engaging with and supporting the affected families and staff members during the period of mourning, describing the incident as a devastating event that had left a profound void within the organisation.
Key points
- Three relatives from the Simelane family died in a horrific head-on collision near Single Tree in Eswatini.
- The collision resulted in six fatalities, including employees of the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC).
- ESRIC announced the immediate closure of its Nhlangano Branch until further notice following the tragedy.
