SOME families of Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC) employees who died in a horrific head-on collision struggled to identify their loved ones who were burnt beyond recognition.
The families went to the Nhlangano Health Centre mortuary on Tuesday to identify the deceased.
Sources said the families first visited the scene before proceeding to the Nhlangano Police Station, where the wreckage had been kept.
The accident occurred along the Nhlangano-Manzini public road near Single Tree.
The Toyota Cross had four occupants, all of whom were ESRIC employees. Three of them died after becoming trapped inside the vehicle when it caught fire following the collision.
The deceased ESRIC employees have been identified as Meluleki Ndlandla (33) of Nkiliji, who was driving; Sakhile Dlamini (30) of Ludzeludze; and Nothando Mthande (45) of Madonsa. The fourth employee Delisa Sikhondze (27) survived the crash.
The VW Polo was being driven by Somnjalose High School teacher Lucky Simelane. His younger brother, Ngcebo (19) who was a student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology and their uncle, Mduduzi Simelane (52), were also travelling in the vehicle. All three family members reportedly died at the scene.
The grieving ESRIC families were later escorted by police to the mortuary, where they were required to identify their loved ones.
However, the extent of the burns made the process particularly difficult, with some family members struggling to recognise the corpse.
Sakhile’s elder brother, Vuyani Dlamini, said his sibling had suffered extensive burns, making it difficult for the family to identify him.
“My brother was badly burnt such that none of his upper body parts or features were recognisable. There was a point where we thought conducting a DNA test would help identify him,” said Dlamini.
He said the family eventually managed to identify Sakhile by his toes.
“I ended up identifying his toes. I don’t think conducting the DNA will be necessary,” he said.
Dlamini said Sakhile would be buried at Ludzeludze on Sunday, following a memorial service and night vigil scheduled for Saturday.
Meanwhile, Meluleki Ndlandla’s brother, Sizo, confirmed that the family had also gone to the mortuary to identify his body.
Sizo said he was devastated by the news of his brother’s death, particularly after learning about the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“I was told that it was not a pretty sight, so I couldn’t gather the strength to go see his body,” he said.
Sakhile was a soccer player of note
LUDZELUDZE Young Brothers FC are mourning the death of its player Sakhile Dlamini.
The football club described the 30-year-old as more than a player, saying he was a teammate, brother and valued member of the Ludzeludze Young Brothers FC family.
In a statement, the club said Dlamini’s sudden death had left a deep void among his teammates and the wider club family.
“On behalf of the entire Ludzeludze Young Brothers FC family, we extend our deepest condolences to the Dlamini family, relatives, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew and loved Sakhile,” the club said.
The club wished the bereaved family and those close to Dlamini strength and comfort during the difficult period.
“Your presence will be missed, but your memory will forever remain with us,” the club said.
Ngcebo a first-year Limkokwing student
THE 19-year-old crash victim Ngcebo Simelane was a first-year student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT).
The university, through its Corporate Communications Manager Lucky Mathonsi, confirmed that he was a registered student pursuing a bachelor of science in information technology (BSc IT).
In a statement, the university said it was deeply saddened by Simelane’s death and extended its condolences to his family, classmates and the wider university community. They said he would be remembered by his peers and lecturers as a dedicated student.
“The loss of a young life with such a promising future is a heavy blow to us all,” reads the statement.
The university also extended its sympathies to the families and loved ones of the other victims and wished those injured a speedy and full recovery.
Teacher to be buried on Saturday
SOMNJALOSE High School teacher Lucky Simelane will be laid to rest on Saturday.
According to a death notice issued by Somnjalose High School, a memorial service will be held at Somnjalose High School hall at 11am on Friday.
His funeral will be held on Saturday at his parental homestead at eThemba, Lavumisa.
The mathematics teacher was described by the school as a dedicated educator who had touched the lives of learners and colleagues through his kindness, humility and commitment to education.
The school said his death had left the administration, teachers, students and stakeholders mourning the loss of a colleague and friend.
The school extended its condolences to Simelane’s family, loved ones and all those mourning his death.
Likewise, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), through its official Facebook post, conveyed its condolences to Simelane’s family, colleagues and friends for their loss.
