A Zululand University theology lecturer and two of his sons were killed, and a third son and two other people were critically injured in a collision on the N2 near Empangeni on Wednesday.

Police named the driver of the sedan as Solomon Buthelezi, 43, a theology doctoral student at Zululand University.

Buthelezi had been ordained an Anglican deacon last year.

An Eshowe police spokesperson said one of Buthelezi's three sons in the car, Nhlosenhle, 13, had been killed instantly.

Nine-year-old Khayalethu died later in hospital. Nkosiyapha, aged 11, was being treated at Ngwelezana Hospital.

The unidentified driver of the bakkie and a passenger were also critically injured and taken to hospital. - Empangeni Bureau

• This article was originally published on page 3 of The Mercury on March 30, 2006