Durban - The two women killed when they
were struck by a vehicle on the N2
while changing a tyre were employees
at the Africa Health Research Institute.
Institute staff were expected to
hold a virtual memorial service for
them today.
Hlobisile Chonco, 32, was a
research nurse and Zanele Msane, 41,
had been a clinical research administrative assistant since 2004.
“The institute is deeply saddened
by the passing of Zanele and Hlobisile. They were much-loved colleagues
and the staff are devastated by this
loss,” said director Professor Willem
Hanekom.
The pair died on Sunday while on
their way from Pietermaritzburg to
Mtubatuba, where they worked.
They
had stopped to change a tyre on Chonco’s VW Polo on the N2 freeway northbound near the oThongathi Toll. They were struck from behind as they changed the tyre and their bodies were flung metres from the car.
A 30-year-old suspect, Mcebo Sangweni, was placed under arrest and
appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s
Court on Tuesday. He is facing charges
of culpable homicide, reckless and
negligent driving and drunken driving.
Msane’s manager, Siphephelo
Dlamini, yesterday said, “She was
reliable and dedicated.
She was able
to work with everyone. She loved travelling, that was her hobby.
Her last trip
was to Mozambique earlier this year.”
The women’s deaths had been hard
on their team, and group counselling
had to be arranged.
“When news of the accident broke,
it was clear people were unable to
continue working. Everyone was emotional. We had to send people home.”