Celebrity Breeze Bringing you fascinating stories
Related Articles
A family of six, including a three-year-old toddler, was killed in a horrific crash on the R42 between Heidelberg Road and Meyerton on Saturday morning.
The family, travelling in a Ford Fiesta, was on their way home to Empangeni after attending a relative’s funeral when tragedy struck.
According to police, preliminary reports suggest that the driver attempted to overtake a truck, but lost control of the vehicle and collided head-on with the same truck moments later.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but found all six occupants of the car dead.
The victims have been identified as father David Khehla (68), mother Alina Malindi (61), driver Xolani Bucibo (28), Vangile Malindi (32), Phindile Malindi (27), and little Lwanzi Shabalala (3).
The truck driver survived the crash and is currently being treated for shock and minor injuries.
Witnesses described the scene as devastating, with the compact car crushed beyond recognition. Traffic was brought to a standstill for several hours as police and paramedics worked to clear the wreckage.
Family members who arrived later in the day were inconsolable as the reality of the tragedy began to sink in.
One of the relatives, Mango Malindi, spoke with a trembling voice, saying the family was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.
“They were travelling from the funeral of our cousin, Lungi Malindi,” he said. “We said goodbye to them not knowing that it would be the last time we’d ever see them alive.”
The family, who had already been mourning the death of one loved one, now faces the unimaginable task of planning six funerals at once.
“We were shocked when we received the call,” Mango continued. “We can’t believe they’re all gone. How do we bury six people at once? Our hearts are broken.”
The accident has sent shockwaves through both the Empangeni and Meyerton communities, where the Malindi family was well known. Residents gathered near the crash site in silence, some laying flowers and candles as a tribute.
Authorities say the exact cause of the crash will only be confirmed after a full investigation.
Gauteng Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened.
“No one has been arrested at this stage, and investigations are underway,” Masondo said.
He also urged motorists to drive cautiously, especially on long-distance routes, where fatigue and risky overtaking are common causes of accidents.
Road safety officials have once again raised concerns over the rising number of fatal crashes on South African highways. The R42, in particular, has become notorious for deadly collisions, often involving overtaking errors or head-on impacts.
A local resident who regularly travels the stretch described it as one of the province’s most dangerous roads.
“It’s narrow and busy with heavy trucks,” she said. “People get impatient and try to overtake even when it’s not safe.”
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has acknowledged the growing safety concerns on the route and says discussions are underway to improve visibility and install additional warning signs.
Meanwhile, preparations are being made for the joint funeral of the six victims. The Malindi family says they want to give their loved ones a dignified send-off, despite the immense financial and emotional strain.
“Right now, we’re focusing on bringing them home and giving them peace,” Mango said. “The pain is too deep, but we have to stay strong for the children who are still with us.”
The tragedy has touched many who followed the story on social media, with messages of condolences pouring in from across the country.
Community members have since started a fundraising drive to help the family cover funeral costs.
Local councillor Nomvula Khumalo described the crash as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on the road.
“This is a tragedy that has affected the whole community,” she said. “We stand with the Malindi family during this painful time.”
Police are expected to release a full report once forensic results and vehicle assessments are complete.
For now, the Malindi family remains surrounded by grief — mourning not just the loss of six loved ones, but also the cruel twist of fate that saw a family return from one funeral only to face another.
The crash marks one of the deadliest single-vehicle accidents in Gauteng this year, reigniting calls for stricter enforcement of speed limits and overtaking regulations on high-risk roads.
As investigators continue to piece together the events that led to the crash, one thing remains painfully clear — six lives, three generations of a single family, were lost in a matter of seconds.
The community of Empangeni will now prepare to say their final goodbyes — a farewell no one ever imagined they would have to make twice in the same week.
