DURBAN - An employee from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is facing a charge of culpable homicide after a 12-year-old boy was knocked down in Mpophomeni, outside Howick.
The boy was knocked down allegedly by a state vehicle on the R671 last Monday.
It is believed that the boy, Azenhle Ntando Nxumalo, was coming from soccer practice when the incident took place.
According to his relative, Ndumiso Majola, Azenhle was walking with his friends when he was knocked.
“His friends saw everything and ran home to alert us about the incident. When we got to the scene, he was already dead,” said Majola.
Azenhle’s funeral was held at the weekend.
Majola said the community and the family were fuming and wanted justice.
He added that the family was upset that the driver had been released on bail.
“We understand that the man was arrested and released on bail, and that’s what frustrates us the most. Our kid is no more, yet this person is already out there,” said Majola.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed the incident and said a culpable homicide case was opened at Mpophomeni police station.
She also confirmed that the suspect had been arrested.
The Agriculture and Rural Development department said the provincial government has assigned counsellors to provide support to Azenhle’s family and friends.
The MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, said the employee involved in the accident had been suspended from work pending an internal investigation.
She has also made a call to employees to obey the rules and be extra-cautious when driving on public roads.
THE MERCURY