The KwaZulu-Natal legislature has revealed that amongst those killed in the horrific N3 crash on Tuesday were Pradhil Thakur Kooblall and his fiancée, Priyanka Nundkumar. Thakur Kooblall is the son of Minority Front (MF) leader, Shameen Thakur Rajbansi.
The KZN Legislature shared a message of condolences to the Thakur family.
“We request that we keep Honourable Thakur Rajbansi and her family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of grief. Details of the funeral will be shared as soon as it becomes available,” said Speaker, Nontembeko Boyce.
The two were travelling with two other people whose identities have not been revealed. They all perished when an articulated truck crashed into their vehicle while they were queueing to go to the Mariannhill Toll Gate.
According to the MF’s Viresh Bhana, the couple, who were engaged to be married, were on their way to Durban to attend a party workshop.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. This is a massive blow to the party as both were involved in politics,” Bhana said.
According to Medi Response KZN spokesperson, Paul Herbst, at least six vehicles were involved in the crash.
“A light motor vehicle was swept beneath a truck and was severely damaged, killing four occupants,” Herbst said.
He added that multiple patients were treated at the scene.
Videos of the horrific crash were shared online showing the fire brigade cutting the mangled wreck of the couple’s car.
Meanwhile, KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, said it is saddening to hear of this accident.
“Yet again, heavy vehicles are found in the middle of a major accident weeks after the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 18 schoolchildren in Pongola. We had also just concluded the programmes of October Transport Month where we focused our efforts on road safety awareness, yet our messages seem to have fallen on deaf ears. For now, the investigation surrounding the facts of the accident are still minimal but hope that a full report will indicate what happened,” Hlomuka said.
The roadway was obstructed for most of the day.