Durban -
Nearly two years have passed since eight would-be officers died during or after the Road Traffic Inspectorate’s shambolic recruitment fitness tests, and the process to compensate their families and other victims of the tragedy has yet to be finalised.
Lenny Nxumalo is one of eight who died after taking part in a 4km fitness test run at the Harry Gwala stadium in Pietermaritzburg in December 2012.
His father, Joseph Nxumalo, said life had been difficult since his son’s death.
Lenny was the family’s sole breadwinner and had two children. He was also taking care of his sisters’ three children.
“Since his death, life came to a standstill here at home. I battle to provide food for these children and our lives are falling apart.
“I’m heartbroken. In one of the numerous meetings we had with officials, government (KZN Transport Department) had requested an eight-week period, promising to return to us. I think we have passed that period now and no word.
Another victim of the December 27 and 28 fitness test was Sanele Ngcobo, found outside the stadium in what may have been a suicide, with a 13cm wound across his neck.
Sanele’s aunt, Thembi, said the University of Zululand student had
left behind a three-month old son when he died.
She said the department had also requested eight weeks’ grace from her while they tried to settle the matter.
“We agreed on that request with the hope that by then we would bring the matter to finality, but until now we have not heard from them (department). Life has been a nightmare after his death,” the aunt said.
In 2012, the department had advertised traffic officer posts and in December recruits had to undergo fitness tests. As a result of the deaths, a commission of inquiry was set up in March last year.
After more than four months the commission found that the department was to blame for the deaths.
In August this year Premier Senzo Mchunu and MEC Willies Mchunu met the families of the deceased and the injured to hand them the report of the commission.
Snippets of the report made available to the media revealed that the commission recommended disciplinary action against the officials involved in preparations for the test.
It recommended the injured be paid R10 000 in compensation while the amount to be paid to the families of the deceased was kept under wraps.
The commission found that proper measures were not put in place when the test was arranged. It also found that 40 700 applicants were invited to the exercise at the stadium.
This number translates to exceeding the stadium capacity by 7 350 on each of the two days of the exercise.
Premier Mchunu, when approached for comment, referred the Daily News to the transport department saying “they are handling the matter”.
Department MEC Mchunu could not be reached for comment by the time of publication. His spokesman, Kwanele Ncalane, denied there had been an agreement that the department would make contact with the families within eight weeks.
Daily News