by Samkelo Mtshali and Zainul Dawood
Durban - An oThongathi family are demanding answers about the death of their loved ones, run over by a 10-ton tipper truck in oThongathi.
The family were also mystified by media reports of a dead baby found at the scene of the incident on Thursday morning.
Two ambulance services reported a baby had been found under one of the women, but mortuary officials on Monday morning confirmed only two bodies were recovered.
Maria Dlamini, 62, and her daughter, Deleni Sizani Dlamini, 38, of the Mazibuko area near Phambili, outside oThongathi, had arrived in the oThongathi CBD by minibus taxi to visit a doctor on Thursday morning.
It is believed they had been trying to cross the road when they were hit by the truck, killing them instantly.
The incident happened in front of a municipal building, and near the busy taxi, bus ranks and train station.
A member of the women’s church recognised one of them lying on the ground and contacted a relative who lived near the Dlaminis who passed on the news. Zandile Khanyile, Maria’s eldest daughter, hurried to town and later identified her mother and sister at the mortuary.
Khanyile said her mother had left home that morning instructing one of the grandchildren to clean the house.
“It is strange because she told them to clean the house and to expect two women to visit later. She may have had a premonition. No one came home. The only two women visiting will be their bodies,” said Khanyile.
The family are anxious to know how their loved ones were killed and said reports of a baby being found on the scene were a mystery to them. They were not aware of either woman being accompanied by a child.
At home in Phambili at the weekend, the family had prepared two beds on the lounge floor and a candle next to them, as per custom.
Clothes were chosen and laid out for Deleni and Maria.
“Deleni was preparing a cleansing ceremony for her twins who had died at birth in 2003. Another child also died at birth in 2007. She had planned to do the ceremony on July 30.
“We received no apology from the truck driver or the trucking company,” Khanyile said.
Both women will be laid to rest on Saturday, but the family were wondering how they will pay for the funerals.
They had relied on widow Maria’s pension.
Ndwedwe Municipality ward 8 councillor Bright Ngcobo visited the family.
He said he would look at how they could help the family during the course of the week.
The Dlaminis were members of the local Zion Christian Church.
Maria was also a member of the local ANC Ward 8 branch.
She had four children, including Deleni, and many grandchildren.